Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that texts of an explicit nature are being randomly sent to mobile phone customers encouraging them to ring premium rate numbers; and the advice he has for people who wish not to receive such texts or for parents who are trying to protect their young children who may have mobile phones and are receiving such texts. [38819/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I have no function in the regulation of premium rate numbers. These are commercial products in a commercial market and responsibility for the regulation of the content and promotion of premium rate telecommunications services is a matter for Regtel, the independent regulator.

The Deputy should be aware however, that legislation is already in place to address the sending of indecent or offensive material by phone, and the harassment of people by phone and anyone who has information in relation to these matters should bring it immediately to the attention of the Garda Síochána for criminal investigation.

In relation to parents with young children, obviously parental supervision is key. In addition, the Irish Cellular Industry Association has done a lot of work in the area of safe and responsible use of mobile phones. They have published a Parent's Guide to Mobile Phones, which aims to inform parents of some key safety tips that will encourage responsible and secure use of mobile phones by their children. It seeks to educate parents and guardians in the ways in which they can gain greater visibility of their child's mobile usage and the services they access. The guide also addresses the subject of bullying and malicious communications. A copy of the guide is available on the ICIA website at www.icia.ie.