Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide training and regulation for the Gardaí to act against cyber bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58017/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that any complaint of alleged cyber-bullying is fully investigated by An Garda Síochána, utilising all relevant legislation including, in particular, Section 10 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Local management are responsible for ensuring that all Garda personnel in their respective areas of responsibility are informed of all new and existing legislative provisions in order that any disclosures of suspected criminal activity, including allegations of cyber-bullying, are thoroughly investigated.

In addition to this, the Office for Internet Safety of my Department works closely with Gardaí in relation to the Garda Schools Programme and provides Gardaí with copies of its booklets on internet safety for use in this Programme. These booklets are 'A parent's guide to new media technologies', 'A parent's guide to filtering technologies', 'A parent's guide to social-networking websites' and 'A guide to cyberbullying'.

The OIS also provides the Gardaí with copies of promotional materials developed each year by the OIS for the Safer Internet Day. The 2013 Safer Internet Day will be on 5 February 2013 with a theme of 'Connect with Respect' and under this theme the materials developed this year focus on recognising and dealing with cyberbullying.

The Internet Safety Advisory Committee, which includes representation form the Garda Síochána, advises the OIS on internet safety particularly as it relates to children.