John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to attend the House for a debate on new technologies. Over the last 20 years, we have seen the blossoming of three new sectors. While the Internet, computers and mobile phone telecommunications have been blessings which have provided employment and opportunity, they have also been abused by people sending anonymous communications.

I would like to focus in the debate on the use of mobile phones to send vile, almost diabolical text messages to bully people anonymously. Every year, we hear of this bullying and perhaps of a child who has taken his or her own life because he or she could not cope with the pressure that has placed on them. In adults, the practice is vile and insidious. I call on the communications companies to provide full co-operation at all times to ensure that people know that if they use mobile phones in this way, they can and will be tracked. A policy must be put in place to ensure that people know that if they involve themselves in this type of activity, they will be caught.

I support the call for a debate on energy. At one filling station on the Dublin quays, it costs €1.30.9 for a litre of petrol, which is incredible.