Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I join those who complimented Senators Mullen, Darragh O'Brien and Mary Ann O'Brien and thank the Senators for their invitation to us to hear what was a story of integrity, courage, parental love and a lesson to us all in how to face adversity. I join Senators Ó Murchú and Paul Coghlan who stated they hoped there would be a follow-on. I encourage the three Senators to have further initiatives because it is important everybody in this House hears their stories. It is part of the enlightenment we should have in the process of formulating legislation.

I want to raise with the Leader the report, provided with EU funding and issued yesterday, on the effects of the Internet, particularly on children as young as nine who are exposed to hardcore pornography. It is an appalling situation which was allowed develop. The Internet is a source of tremendous good, be it in the fields of education, information, communication, and social and employment opportunities, but there are also risks attached to it. I am reminded of a recent incident in England where a 12 year old boy was prosecuted for raping a nine year old girl precisely because he had accessed hard-core pornography on the Internet at a young age. This had totally corrupted his view of sexual activity and according to his defence counsel, the case was only the tip of the iceberg. Affording unfettered access to the Internet from an early age has major consequences. I ask for a debate on this issue with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, who will clearly be concerned about the problem, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The Government has launched a campaign on Internet freedom. Like all freedoms, however, some form of regulation and control is required to prevent such adverse effects.