Vol. 424 No. 6
1 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she has satisfied herself that enough is being done to combat the growing number of obscene and malicious telephone calls, particularly to women; the response, if any, of Telecom Éireann to the suggested provision of a 24 hour freephone help line; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The primary responsibility for taking action in relation to obscene and malicious telephone calls rests with the law enforcement authorities and, as I indicated in my reply to a similar question on 2 April 1992, I am satisfied that the statutory powers available to deal with such cases are adequate.
As a result of discussions with Telecom Éireann on the matter, I am not satisfied that the provision of a 24-hour freephone helpline will do anything to reduce the number of such calls. However, Telecom Éireann have informed me that the victims of such calls can get advice and information from any of Telecom Éireann's local offices and that the company try to help as far as possible the people who are affected by them.
I am very disappointed that the response from Telecom Éireann to the suggestion of a 24-hour help line is negative. As a result of my raising this matter in the House on 2 April, I received a large number of telephone calls and letters which have assured me that the problem has been and is increasing. The Minister told the House on the previous occasion that she had personal experience of malicious telephone calls. I point out to the Minister that there would appear to be many people in this country who receive such telephone calls almost on a nightly basis — many of them in the middle of the night. It seems that women in particular are affected. They say that they are afraid to answer the telephone and they are afraid not to answer the telephone. Under those circumstances would the Minister not agree that a service such as the helpline I have suggested should be provided to give victims some confidence that their problem is recognised and that there is an attempt to do something about it?
On the previous occasion on which the Deputy raised this subject I advised him that I had been the victim of malicious telephone calls myself and that I was well aware that there are very many victims, particularly women, who are concerned about this malicious threat to them. As I indicated to the Deputy that I would, I talked specifically to Telecom Éireann about the prospect of introducing a freephone help line.
It is important to point out what is available to victims at the moment. Victims are offered a change of telephone number. Of course, people are also told by Telecom Éireann when they make a complaint that they should immediately raise the matter with the Garda. Telecom Éireann can offer that kind of advice at any of their offices or through their existing freephone service, on No. 1800 500 500. One way around the difficulty might be for me to ask Telecom Éireann to advertise the 1800 500 500 freephone number so that people know that that number is available for complaints about malicious telephone calls.
It should be pointed out that a freephone help line of the kind requested by Deputy Currie might provide advice for the victim but could do very little about combating the number of such calls.
A Cheann Comhairle—
A brief question, please Deputy. Let us not forget the desire and necessity to deal with the other four questions also.
While I appreciate the effort being made by the Minister to move in the direction I have requested, I appeal to her, as a woman and as someone who has had personal experience of these telephone calls to again take this matter up with Telecom Eireann. Perhaps I feel a little more strongly about this issue than others because of my personal experience with this problem — granted, it was in another jurisdiction. Because of that shared experience of both of us and knowing the trauma that these calls can cause in families and to women in particular, surely the Minister should consider taking additional action?
I very much recognise the point being made by Deputy Currie. Once again I assure the House that I shall follow up this issue, as I did before, with Telecom. As I said, as an interim measure I shall suggest to Telecom Éireann that they consider advertising the availability of their existing freephone facility.
