Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator and welcome the amendment to the language this Private Members’ Bill will insert into existing legislation. We are not opposing it. The legal advice received by our Department when this issue was first considered indicated using the phrase “child sexual exploitation material” could have unwelcome consequences for legislation that already uses similar language. Using the phrase “child sexual abuse material” appears to address this problem and is in line with international good practice. This term is now the preferred descriptor of legal measures and instruments for what was formerly called “child pornography” or “child sexual exploitation”. It is the preferred language in use by agencies, professionals and bodies working in the subject area. It makes sense for Ireland to be in alignment linguistically with our international and European counterparts as we are already aligned politically in tackling child sex abuse material.