Press Release from Minister for Children, Mary Hanafin TD

"A complaint a day about child pornography on the net" - Hanafin

New Codes of Practice and Ethics for Irish Internet Service Providers and First Report of Child Pornography Hotline Launched

"The 671 reports of child pornography on the internet to the Hotline proves the need for parents to be vigilant about children's use of the internet" . Speaking today (5 February, 2002) at the launch of the first report of the WWW.Hotline.ie, the website established in November, 2000 for the reporting of child pornography on the Web, Minister Hanafin said:

"About one third of 10 year olds are Internet users and are exposed to positive and negative aspects. The report shows that on average a complaint a day is made about child pornography on the net and this puts an onus on the providers, the Gardaí, governments nationally and internationally to protect children".

The Minister outlined the measures in this area taken by the Government since coming to office including the publication of a report of the illegal and harmful use of the internet, the Irish Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, the establishment of the Internet Advisory Board and the launch of the Hotline established by the industry in November 1999.

In welcoming the establishment of a code of practice, Minister Hanafin said "The launch of the new codes of practice and ethics is one of the significant milestones set by the Government Review Group on the illegal and harmful use of the Internet in the path to self regulation. Self-regulation is the preferred path of the industry and I am glad to see them taking on their responsibilities.

However we cannot be complacent ? basic rules still apply, parents must set rules for internet use, the Hotline should be well advertised and links have to be developed at an international level. The Internet challenges us all to work in a partnership to protect our children".

Launch taking place at 11 a.m. at Clarence Pictures, 13 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2

For Further Information contact Minister Hanafin (087) 2855857