Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has had any discussions with his EU colleagues with a view to combating the predatory use of the Internet by those with doubtful intentions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34653/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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By its very nature, the Internet lends itself to being used for a wide range of criminal activities. These can include illegal pornography, racist or hate materials, financial fraud, intimidation or any other criminal activity carried out via the Internet. Combatting such illegal, harmful and predatory use of the Internet requires a response at national, EU and international levels.

The Internet is an international and worldwide phenomenon with no borders and no single organisation controlling it. Measures to combat illegal materials and activities on the Internet are, therefore, hampered by a multiplicity of jurisdictions, differing legal systems and differing societal norms. Furthermore, developments in communications technologies allowing for Internet access by new means are a regular occurrence. These are largely positive developments but also bring particular challenges for those charged with protecting against the down sides of the Internet.

A combination of responses and the co-operation of all the stakeholders at both national and international level, such as legislators, law enforcement, schools, child protection practitioners, parents and guardians, is essential. My Department is fully committed to playing its part in a proactive way. The European Union has taken a strong line on combating child pornography and other illegal and harmful uses of the Internet.

Since 1999, under the Safer Internet Action Plan, the EU has provided financial and other supports for measures in the member states to combat illegal and harmful uses of the Internet, with particular emphasis on protecting children. A new EU action plan, Safer Internet Plus, covering the period 2005 to 2008 and with a budget of €45 million, was agreed under the Irish Presidency in June 2004 and is now in operation. My Department is represented on the management committee for the programme.

The EU Council adopted a framework decision on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography on 22 December 2003. While the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 is a particularly robust legislative measure, my Department is preparing additional legislative provisions to ensure compliance with this framework decision. In September, 2001 the Council of Europe Ministers' Deputies approved the first international convention on cybercrime, to which Ireland signed in June 2002. The main objective of the convention is to foster international co-operation in protecting society against cybercrime. The convention deals specifically with the distribution of child pornography on the Internet, infringements of copyright, computer related fraud and violations of network security. My Department is fully committed to co-operating with and promoting these measures nationally, at EU and international level.