Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to acknowledge the Minister's efforts in this area. I absolutely note the position of Senator Ruane on the digital age of consent. To be honest, it confuses me a little. Unlike Senator Ruane, I am not blessed with having children so she is probably far more in tune with them than I am. Having said that, I have a deep concern for their welfare.

Children are particularly ICT-aware now. In many cases they show their parents how to deal with technology and so forth. Unfortunately, we are in a world where the question of whether the digital age of consent is 16 or 13 years is probably academic. This is because even from a younger age, children are able to access the Internet. What troubles me is that a 13 year old child could put up a compromising picture of himself or herself on the Internet. If the digital age of consent was 13 years, the parents would not have the authority or right to tell the child to take it down. The child would have legal control of what goes up from age 13 years. This is very much an evolving situation. I imagine we will see this legislation amended many times in future as technology, lifestyle and habits change.

It has been a useful debate. I have listened to the arguments and my views have evolved on the matter. I have come down very much on the side of leaving the age at 13 years because I believe it is academic and it seems to accord with international best practice. One message that really needs to go out from both Houses is that, whatever position people take, everyone is in unison in terms of the importance of protecting children from the Internet. We have a great deal of work to do to ensure that.