Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The term "image" arises in section 6(1)(b) in the context of the offence of causing a child to watch sexual activity. Section 8(4) sets out the definition of "sexually explicit material". The section sets out how it is an offence to send such material to a child by means of information and communications technology. For the purposes of clarity, it is proposed to define the word "image" to ensure it clearly encompasses still and moving images and any other type of image that may be produced.The wording used in the definition is similar to that used in the definition of "visual representation" in the context of child pornography, as it appears in the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. An additional phrase, "or any other form of visual representation," has been included to ensure that any images produced by new technologies are automatically covered by the definition.