Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It is not a simple issue to solve. I would be the last person to trumpet any state or anything to that effect. The Minister hit on quite a valid point when he said the three main operators have a voluntary code of practice for this. I do not say this lightly. We have regulation for underage drinking and we are very regimental in carrying out stings on publicans to make sure they are held to account and run good shows. It is not right to give mobile phones or access to mobile phones to kids of any age. It is causing serious issues in households which will become bigger problems going forward. The Minister hit on it there. The code of practice used by the large companies is good. We should not hide behind regulation and privacy. It is possible to bring in a minimum age for use of a phone. If a parent wants to give a kid a phone and flout the regulation that is his or her own business. A minimum age for access to a mobile phone of perhaps 14, 15 or 16 is the way forward.