Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the representatives of the ISPCC for their attendance. This is probably the fourth or fifth lengthy discussion I have had on this issue and they never cease to be sobering or frightening. I often reflect that, even five or six years ago, I would have considered myself lucky to have got through the gap. I consider myself even luckier now in the that sense. I say this only half-jokingly because change has become even more rapid since my younger brothers were teenagers. We now have another generation for whom everything is changing every one or two years. It is very difficult for parents, in particular, to try to keep up with this change, which, while impressive, can also be overwhelming.

Bullying has always been an issue in schools but I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for children who are unable to escape the problem because it follows them home. That they cannot shelter or get away from bullying must be extremely difficult to deal with for the children involved and their parents.

I strongly support the idea of establishing a digital safety commission. This issue has been raised a number of times. Children must be able to make a significant contribution to any such office because they are the experts in many ways. Something along the lines of a children's advisory committee should be established as part of the new office.

I was not aware of the existence of an office of Internet safety. I ask the witnesses to explain briefly what a digital safety commissioner would do that the office of Internet safety does not already do and what gaps would be filled by the new commissioner.

The witnesses touched on the issue of digital stalking. While I acknowledge that this is not only a matter for legislation, what are the other major legislative gaps in this area?

I am conscious of the witnesses' concern not to criminalise children. Nonetheless, the Garda will have a role in this area. How well equipped is the Garda in terms of know-how, staff and resources to deal with these issues? Must this area be addressed?

What proportion of the calls made to the Childline service relate to complaints or allegations made against other children or actions taken by other children? Is this issue significantly gendered, in other words, is there a significant disparity between the number of complaints made by girls and boys?

I expect there would be some degree of industry push-back against these proposals. While certain elements of the industry are progressive and sensible, does the ISPCC anticipate such a reaction or has it already experienced it?