Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Considerable difficulties remain to be overcome. I met representatives of the Irish Cellular Industry Association and the industry advisory board, as well as the Garda, and the view tends to be that while there is the potential to introduce restrictions, the experience in places where registers have been introduced, including Australia, is that the matter is fraught with difficulties. The only European countries where registers have been introduced are France, Germany and Switzerland, all of which have encountered difficulties, even in regions where mobile phone usage is lower than here. No proposals have been made on introducing a register in the United Kingdom, the country with the closest legal regime to ours.

The Internet Advisory Board is of the view that we should work towards introducing more rigorous measures in areas such as parental control. The industry is developing technologies which would allow for restrictions on the use of mobile phones by nominated users, particularly children. The Garda has expressed satisfaction with the level of co-operation it receives from the industry. Technology has also developed significantly with regard to traceability but significant issues remain to be resolved. While I am committed to introducing a register, I also recognise the difficulties encountered.

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