Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I refer to a report in the Irish Examiner today about the distribution of apparent pornographic images of a schoolgirl via mobile phones. The wide availability of pornography needs to be debated in the House. An EU report published last week found that 70% of Internet sales relate to pornography. We should do what we can to limit, control and monitor the availability of pornography. Many people who consider themselves to be good download pornography and one thing we need to do is to educate our young people so that when they consider viewing pornography, they bring their consciences into play and think about what lies behind these images.

Men of all ages view images of young women and very often these involve young, vulnerable women being exploited. People need to think about this and the issue must be addressed in our education system and by the media. Many people involved in the adult pornography industry are also involved in child pornography and trafficking. Their sole motivation is profit and they do not care about the morality of what they do. Many people use pornography but they should consider what is behind it and bring their consciences into play.