Vol. 531 No. 1
148 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps the Garda is taking to investigate Internet paedophile rings operating here; and if he has satisfied himself that all efforts are being made to ensure that such rings are not allowed to exist. [5041/01]
The Deputy will be aware that the investigation of such activities in the new environment of the Internet poses special challenges for law enforcement authorities throughout the world. Due to the international nature of Internet based crime, the Garda Síochána liaise with law enforcement agencies and non governmental organisations outside the State in this area of criminality.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no evidence to date that there are Internet paedophile rings operating in Ireland. The Garda Síochána are currently carrying out criminal investigations pertaining to breaches of The Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
In addition to the specific steps being taken by the Garda in this area, my Department has been involved in a number of relevant structural initiatives arising from the report of the Working Group on the Illegal and Harmful Use of the Internet. A public hotline for reporting child pornography was set up in November 1999 and I established an Internet Advisory Board in March 2000 to oversee many of the recommendations the working group's report, including self-regulation by the Internet service provider industry. New protocols for information exchange between the industry and the Garda geared to combating paedophile activity on the Internet continue to be developed under the supervision of the new board.
149 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps that are being taken to investigate a situation, as reported by a judge (details supplied) in the Cork Circuit Criminal Court recently, where drug dealers were distributing drugs free in schools to get their customers; and the communication there is between the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Education and Science on this issue. [5042/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are not aware of drug dealers distributing drugs free in schools in Cork in order to obtain customers. My colleague, the Minister for Education and Science has also informed me that he has not received any reports of this activity taking place.
With regard to the particular case to which the Deputy seems to be referring, the Garda authorities informed me that a Garda witness had informed the court that he was not aware that drug dealers were distributing drugs free in schools to get the custom of children.
