Mr. Justice John Quirke:

It was exactly as the Deputy describes. I was very impressed. I know about technology now but they knew more at that stage about the technology involved. Their level of responsibility was remarkable. They varied in age from approximately 11 or 12 to 17 years. I was taught much, not just about technology but also about the nature of abuse. Their solutions seemed to be by far the most sensible we came across. They were extremely careful about the use of technology. It was a very helpful and interesting experience for me and everybody who attended.

I was on the side of this and I was not able to participate. I was learning new terms like "catfishing", which is apparently the stealing of another person's identity. I am sure the committee knows that but I did not. I learned other things as well. I also learn from my grandchildren, I am afraid, who tell me how to use the technology. The children explained how it is being abused by children and adults in the interaction with children. That experience made us understand that criminal law was not necessarily the only route. It was very helpful with the idea of the digital safety commissioner and all the powers needed for that commissioner. I do not know if that is very helpful. I am not going into any detail but I would have shortly afterwards recalled instances where they were able to explain issues I would never have thought about that could happen. The stealing of an identity is one example. They explained how one school group might be able to interact with another and cause damage of a kind that we had not come across before.

Mr. Byrne may be able to give better detail in relation to some of the activities that they explained. I cannot immediately recall them. All I can say is that I was very impressed by them, mainly by how responsible they all were. They wanted to draw our attention to the potential abuse of their contemporaries that they did not want to happen.