Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also compliment the Garda and Interpol on their joint co-operation in the area. Not enough work is being done, however, especially as computer software is available to the Garda Síochána to gather information and intelligence on possible suspects operating in their jurisdiction. Law enforcement agencies from 25 European countries, including Ireland, were supported and co-ordinated by Europol in carrying out a major crackdown in 2011 on child sexual abuse file sharing networks. The operation targeted those sharing the most extreme forms of video material, which included images of babies and toddlers being sexually abused.

Sexual abuse is second only to drug trafficking in monetary value, so huge sums of money are involved, and for everybody's sake we must put the issue on the A list of proposed legislation. There is ongoing international debate about the effectiveness of blocking systems which only work on standard web pages. Some systems have become almost obsolete because, as Senator Hayden pointed out, international experience has shown that most child abuse or pornographic images are transmitted via systems such as peer to peer file sharing. Senator Quinn also referred to online digital blockers being unaffected by blocking systems. We should not put all our faith in blocking systems alone. Filtering systems are of major importance as well. Perhaps the Minister would examine the UK example in this area.

The British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly is publishing a report on trafficking, including child trafficking. It does not focus on child pornography which is, as we know, a hugely complicated area, but one of the report's recommendations refers to this matter. Sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children constitute serious violations of fundamental rights, in particular the rights of children to protection and care.

I commend the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, on her work on Children First and the updating of national legislation in this area. She is also working on ensuring the provision of additional vetting services, and we hope to see improvements in this area in which delays have been experienced. A matter which was brought to my attention which the Ministers, Deputies Fitzgerald and Shatter, suggested may be addressed is that if one is vetted for employment in a school, it will not be necessary for one to be re-vetted for employment in hospitals, community centres, etc.

We have all sought to convey the importance of debate on this matter and stressed the complexities around ensuring we take the best action and work together on a European level. An EU-funded computer project coming on stream in Portugal which we have enjoined seeks to ensure all countries take a uniform approach to and co-operate in this area. I have spoken to the Minister about this and look forward to keeping Members informed on its progress.