Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position on the registration of mobile phones in regard to drug crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26513/07]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The widespread use of mobile phones in drug dealing is common knowledge and the issue was among those discussed when I recently met representatives of the Garda national drugs unit. As Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, I support any initiatives that inhibit illicit drug dealing and welcome the commitment in the programme for Government that all mobile phones will be required to be registered with name, address and proof of identity in order to stop drug pushers using untraceable and unregistered phones.

I am advised that the proposal to establish a register of prepaid mobile phones requires careful consideration as many complex legal, technical, data protection and practical issues are involved. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has identified a number of problems in achieving this objective. These include the ease with which a foreign or stolen SIM card can be used, the difficulties that would be posed in verifying identity and data protection issues arising from the development of a register. I understand the issue will continue to be considered by the relevant parties with a view to achieving an outcome that will be satisfactory to all involved.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Since I last asked this question, a lady from County Kildare wrote a letter to The Irish Times asking whether we were fooling ourselves in following this route. I do not have the answer; neither, clearly, does the Department. Is it the case that, given the legislative issues arising with regard to foreign telephones, we will not make progress in the short term?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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In January the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources stated this could not work. Does the Minister of State agree? I agree something has to be done because we cannot allow criminals to use such telephones to run their drug empires.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has made that statement and received advice from the Attorney General that it is a difficult issue. However, it has not given up. I have expressed the view that I would like the issue to be resolved as far as possible, working closely with the industry and seeking advice from the Garda and others.