I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 104 together.
As the father of young teenagers, I fully empathise and understand the Deputies' concerns over the recent media reports of pornographic images being sent via mobile phones. However, legislation already exists to tackle the problem. It is an offence under section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951, as amended by the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, to send by phone any message or other matter which is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. It is also an offence under section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 to harass a person by use of a mobile phone. I appeal to anyone with information on these matters to bring it to the attention of the Garda Síochána for criminal investigation.
The registration of prepaid mobile phones is a complex issue. The design of any pre-registration scheme would be problematic in terms of capturing and keeping up to date the required information because of theft, the cost of maintenance, issues concerning data protection and privacy and ensuring the accuracy of the information supplied. The introduction of a compulsory scheme retrospectively would be difficult given the already high level of mobile phone penetration in this country, which is in the region of three million mobile phones. Of these, in the region of two million, or 70%, are prepaid. The ongoing monitoring and maintenance of any mobile phone register so that the information concerned could be used for a criminal investigation would be difficult. Approximately 80% of prepaid customers' details are registered.
My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for policy in regard to the protection of children from the transmission of pornographic images by phones and other media. While, legislation is in place, I cannot emphasise enough the role of parents in decisions concerning both the purchase and use of mobile phones by their children. They should ensure they are used appropriately, which is ultimately the best way to safeguard their children from the perils of abuse of such technology.