Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received or issued advice or instructions nationally or in conjunction with his EU colleagues in the matter of the prevention of spam, computer hacking or the use of the Internet for child abuse, pornography or other illegal purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44002/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the authorities in Northern Ireland, private sector companies and not-for-profit organisations recently conducted a public awareness campaign called "makeITsecure" to promote the safe use of the internet.

The campaign was designed to increase awareness among citizens of the most common security risks related to accessing and transacting on the Internet, such as identity theft, spyware, phishing and child safety particularly with regard to the potential risks from social networking and accessing inappropriate content.

Legislation for the control of spam is provided for in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Network and Services) (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 2003. Implementation of these regulations is a matter for the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner which is under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I will shortly sign new regulations that will strengthen the Data Protection Commissioner's capacity to tackle spam.

Responsibility for issues relating to the use of the internet for illegal purposes such as child abuse and pornography is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.