Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the increase in cyber-bullying, if there are regulations to prevent websites such as a website called ASK-FM from entering society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46360/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There are no regulations to prevent websites such as the one mentioned by the Deputy from operating in Ireland. However, assistance is available from a variety of sources to help those affected by cyberbullying. I mention, in particular, the Safer Internet Ireland project which is coordinated by the Office for Internet Safety in my Department. The National Centre for Technology in Education, an agency for the Department of Education and Skills, participates in the project. It operates two sites: www.webwise.ie provides advice and information to parents and teachers, while www.watchyourspace.ie provides advice to young people on how to manage their online activities.

The ISPCC and the National Parents Council (Primary) also participate. Both organisations offer assistance through their confidential telephone helplines on how to deal with cyberbullying. The Office for Internet Safety itself supplies very useful guides, including "A Parents Guide to Social Networking Sites" and "A Guide to Cyberbullying". I take this opportunity to remind those who are being or have been subjected to bullying, including cyberbullying, that, at least in some cases, the criminal law may offer redress. Bullying in any form may, after all, amount to an assault in just the same way as a physical attack on a person. I would therefore say to victims and their parents that where the evidence exists, the Gardai should be notified.