Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There has been secrecy. I would ask the Minister to set out who has urged that we retain the age at 16 and is not listed on the public consultation. That was a little bit of a disservice to the debate. Deputy O'Callaghan, as our spokesperson, will be considering our position on the profiling amendments. There is no doubt that we can properly choose to protect children by having the digital age of consent at 16, as it is in the regulation the Europeans have set for us. The Minister has helpfully listed countries that are going for 13. We have also listed large and important countries that are going for 16. I urge the Minister to let us know who has advised him for 16. If there are any others advocating for 13 who contacted the Department but have not been part of the public debate so far, I would certainly be interested in hearing about them.

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