Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My apologies but I had to leave for a short while to attend my committee to provide a quorum.

I thank the Minister for coming today and I thank Senator Mullen for bringing forward this all-important Bill. The legislation highlights what is out there and the pitfalls that can be experienced by the young and the not so young.

The Minister has gone a long way in terms of her Department and what she does. I compliment the sentiments in the Bill. The legislation has pluses and minuses. There may be legal challenges or issues in the Bill, so perhaps there are some issues in the Bill that could be taken on board. I refer to that whole area around pornography and digital safety.

I have young nephews and nieces myself. I am not saying they have been looking but there are a lot of ads on phones and whatever else that I have seen on ordinary phones. Therefore, it is important we protect people going forward.

I compliment all those involved in bringing this Bill forward. I also compliment the Minister and I look forward to the workings of, maybe, the combination of some of the proposals in the future.