Vol. 509 No. 1
104 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the powers open to the Garda in policing the Internet and, in particular, the problem of child pornography; the plans, if any, he has to increase these powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19745/99]
A very wide range of legal and technical difficulties are experienced world-wide in effectively policing the Internet. However, following the report last year of the review group on the illegal and harmful use of the Internet, a system of self-regulation by the service provider industry is now being implemented. In this regard, my Department has been informed that the industry will shortly establish a public hotline for reporting complaints about child pornography on the Internet. Following on the recent decision by the industry to provide the hotline, a special Internet advisory board will now be established to overview the implementation of the self-regulation arrangements, as also recommended by the review group. International co-operation both by the hotline and the board will be crucial to addressing the overall problem of child pornography on the Internet.
Apart from its proposed membership on the lnternet board, the Garda is involved on an ongoing basis with the investigation of child pornography on the Internet. Its powers in relation to this jurisdiction are provided by the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998. I have no plans to increase these powers.
