Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Garda Searches.

Liz McManus

Question:

442 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a Garda raid on a premises (details supplied) in Bray, County Wicklow; if he will ensure that obscene material is inaccessible to children, in particular, in relation to the website run by this operator which is advertised at present in a national newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23054/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Garda authorities that two separate searches have been carried out by gardaí on the premises in question under section 25 of the Video Recordings Act, 1989. I understand that video cassettes, magazines and DVDs suspected of containing pornographic material were seized. I am also informed that the website advertised by the operator is also under investigation with a view to establishing whether any criminality is disclosed.

With regard to the wider issue of restricting access to websites, the Deputy will appreciate that this poses a number of complex legal and technical issues which are being examined at both national and international level. While there are no simple solutions emerging, the Internet Advis ory Board, which I established earlier this year, is working closely with the Irish internet service provider industry to ensure that all possible steps are being taken to make the Internet as safe as possible for young people.