Mr. John O'Driscoll:

Again, I referenced the tech companies and our engagement with them to some extent. The relationships are developed and much improved. Aside from engaging with them to the extent that we want to get their assistance we also have a formal engagement with them where they are required to provide evidence when we deem that information in their possession might be useful as evidence.

For that purpose, we will use the relevant legislation, search warrants and other such devices, in order to acquire the evidence so that it is available in a manner that is suitable for prosecution of a crime. While institutions, companies or whatever may be willing to provide evidence, we have to use that formal route in any event and it gives better legal coverage to all concerned when we go about business through the use of the relevant legislation in that manner. We get the assistance of those companies in many of those investigations, where that formal route is used in order to acquire the evidence involved.

On the welfare issue, as I said, we have a new policy document issued by our chief medical officer. It was some time in the making to ensure it was robust and appropriate for this type of crime. It is the sort of service that needs to be available to members of An Garda Síochána in a whole range of areas, where they engage in traumatic events. In this case, the welfare issues of those specifically involved in dealing with issues online is addressed.

Also, approximately two years ago, we issued details to all of our members of a 24-hour phone number where welfare issues arise in particular investigations. Members of An Garda Síochána engage in all sorts of activities where trauma can be involved. This can be fatal traffic accidents which, regrettably, we have had too many of in recent weeks. It can be a situation similar to that I attended many years ago following the tsunami. In such a scenario one has to deal with many dead people. It can also be dealing with people, such as those who were found dead in a container in Wexford a number of years ago. There are fires, traffic accidents and many different types of events where trauma is involved, which can have an impact on members of An Garda Síochána. We endeavour through our chief medical officer and welfare services to provide the sort of backup to personnel that is required. Again, this is something that needs to be monitored on a continuous basis to ensure those services are working and are protecting personnel to the extent that is appropriate.