Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I hope I am not being unfair but based on what the Minister said, I take it that it is hoped that the Government will ratify these conventions this year. If that is so, it is to be welcomed, notwithstanding the fact that they should have been ratified a long time ago.

We must recognise that international attention in this regard will focus on Ireland in due course. We have managed to get away with the fact that the State has not ratified these conventions. Ireland is a centre for a significant number of digital and Internet companies. We need to be conscious that we have to have in place top of the range regulation and legislation to deal with the serious issue of sexual exploitation and abuse of children online. Internet companies are incapable of doing it to the fullest extent.

Even if they were, as legislators we must ensure that the appropriate laws are in place.

While I welcome what the Minister said about it looking as though they will be ratified this year, there has been a long delay and I will hold him to the commitment that it will be done this year.

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