Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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16. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to introduce Internet filters to help parents to protect children from inappropriate material; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51576/13]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the role his Department can play in tackling cyberbullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51577/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 25 together.

I share the Deputy’s concern in relation the possibility that the proliferation of internet connectivity may well result in age inappropriate viewing of material by children, or expose them to bullying and harassment online. However in the first instance, it is critical to draw a distinction between matters that, while inappropriate, are not generally criminal, and outright criminal activity, such as the possession, production or distribution of images of child abuse. An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and the criminal justice system have an excellent record in rooting out those who would create, share or profit from this type of material, and while I will help in this in any way that I can, these matters are the responsibility of Minister for Justice to deal with.

As the Deputy will be aware, I met with representatives of the main Internet Service Providers to discuss developments in the UK in July, Following on from that, last week I announced the formation of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group consisting of experts in the fields of child safety and online behaviour as well as technical experts and representatives from industry. This Group will consider the emerging issues around online content and its general impact on the lives of children and young people, including online bullying or harassment as well as the issues that arise from age inappropriate viewing of content.

This Group will take submissions from the public or interested groups, and will produce a report for by the end of May 2014. Their objective will be to to offer recommendations aimed at protecting children and young people without limiting unduly their opportunities and rights online.The Forum will have regard to international best practice, including recent European Commission Reports and Council Conclusions in this area, and will also be asked to comment specifically on the recent report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee titled ‘Addressing the Growth of Social Media and tackling Cyberbullying’.