Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My apologies for wanting to return to my earlier comments but this Bill is as much about enforcement and here is a section dealing with fines. The report I referred to earlier, which the Minister of State did not allude to, has indicated serious inadequacies in the manner in which child pornography crimes and sexual crimes against children are followed up. For example, there is no cybercrime unit in the Department of Justice and Equality. With respect to Senator Norris's ignorance of the Internet, most of this awful traffic takes place on the Internet and yet there is no reference at all to what will happen following the enactment of a Bill which will include additional fines and more punitive measures against those perpetrating child pornography and child sexual crimes. The report, which was not done by the Department but by Mr. Olson, states quite clearly that we do not have a cybercrime unit in the Garda. I was gobsmacked when I read that.

I would like some response. I am not trying to make a political point but this is a serious issue involving the Garda and we are passing a law that will put extra pressure on Garda resources in specific areas relating to cybercrime and child pornography, much of which takes place on the Internet with paedophile rings, etc. I would like a response because it is the earliest opportunity this House has had to raise this matter, following the publication of the report. For the information of the Minister of State, the Leader of the House indicated that the House will debate this report in the new year. I am basing my questions on newspaper reports rather than on anything emanating from the Department. My understanding is that the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has accepted the report in its entirety, which I welcome, but perhaps the Minister of State has some insight. I appreciate it may not be his main area of responsibility but in the context of this legislation, he might be able give some indication.