Dáil Éireann
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Vol. 984 Wednesday, No. 3 26 June 2019. DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 26/06/2019A00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 247 26/06/2019A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 247 26/06/2019A00300Internet Pornography � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 247 26/06/2019B00300Online Safety � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 249 26/06/2019C00150Crime Prevention � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 251 26/06/2019C00850Sentencing Policy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 253 26/06/2019D00950Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 255 26/06/2019D01000Crime Data � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 255 26/06/2019E00650Crime Levels � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 257 26/06/2019F00500Direct Provision System � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 259 26/06/2019G00200Drugs Crime � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 261 26/06/2019G01200Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 263 26/06/2019H00700Inspector of Prisons � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 264 26/06/2019J00600Visa Applications � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 266 26/06/2019K00200Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 268 26/06/2019N00500Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 277 26/06/2019U00450Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 290 26/06/2019Y00700An Bille um an Naoú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Ceart chun Tithíochta) 2019: An Chéad Chéim 300 26/06/2019Y00800Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2019: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 300 26/06/2019Z00700Social Housing (Real Social Housing) Bill 2019: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 302 26/06/2019Z01500Ceisteanna (Atógáil) - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 304 26/06/2019Z01600Programme for Government� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 304 26/06/2019BB00350Commissions of Investigation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 308 26/06/2019CC00800Departmental Administrative Arrangements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 311 26/06/2019EE00200Post-European Council: Statements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 316 26/06/2019NN00200Message from Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 333 26/06/2019NN00400Message from Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 333 26/06/2019NN00600Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 334 26/06/2019TT00100Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 334 26/06/2019TT00200Wastewater Treatment � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 334 26/06/2019UU00500Special Educational Needs Service Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 338 26/06/2019VV00450Post Office Closures � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 341 26/06/2019YY02300Carers: Motion [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 348 26/06/2019KKK00100Teachtaireacht ón Seanad - Message from Seanad � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 377 26/06/2019KKK00300CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Order for Second Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 377 26/06/2019KKK00700CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Second Stage� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 378 26/06/2019ZZZ00300CervicalCheck Tribunal Bill 2019: Referral to Select Committee � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 410 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 26 Meitheamh 2019 Wednesday, 26 June 2019 Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 10�30 a�m� Paidir. Prayer. 26/06/2019A00100Ceisteanna - Questions 26/06/2019A00200Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions 26/06/2019A00300Internet Pornography 26/06/2019A0040031� Deputy Jim O’Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regard- ing an increased role for the Irish Film Classification Office in the monitoring of the availability of pornography to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter� [26867/19] 26/06/2019A00500Deputy Jim O’Callaghan: The terrible murder of Ana Kriégel and the recent conviction of two boys for murder has raised many issues of concern for the public, which issues we, as policymakers, should be taking into account� One such concern is the prevalence of online pornography, which is available to young people� The purpose of this question is to elicit from the Minister whether he or the Government intend to seek to expand the role of the Irish Film Classification Office, IFCO, to assist it in monitoring the availability of online pornography to young people� 26/06/2019A00600Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I assure the Deputy that the accessing of online pornography by children is a matter for considerable concern, even where that content is not inherently illegal� As stated by the Taoiseach in the Dáil last week, it is a matter of concern to all of us that many young people learn about sex through pornography, particularly as such material is not an accurate representation of what is healthy or appropri- ate behaviour� Exposure to such material at a young age is certainly inappropriate and may, at times, be harmful� 247 Dáil Éireann As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Film Classification Office, IFCO, is responsible for examining and certifying all cinema films and videos-DVDs legally distributed in the State. The legislation provides that no film shall be exhibited in public unless the Director of Film Classification has certified that it is suitable and a certificate is displayed to that effect. The leg- islation gives the director power to prohibit a film or to impose conditions or restrictions upon its exhibition� The Deputy will be aware that the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 clarified for the first time that a core function of IFCO was classification of content “likely to cause harm to children”� Where there is pornography contained within the material covered by the above legislation, IFCO takes a firm stand to prevent availability of such material to children by consistent application of its system of age-related classification of cinema films and videos-DVDs� However, within this legislation, there is no statutory function for IFCO relating to broadcast online or mobile material� 26/06/2019A00700Deputy Jim O’Callaghan: I thank the Minister� The Government needs to give consider- ation to expanding the role of IFCO� I have mentioned previously in this House that the current generation of young people are being exposed to pornography, the likes of which has not been seen previously� Young men in particular are learning about sexuality from very violent por- nography online, which presents women in a very malleable and submissive way� As a State, we need to recognise that we have a responsibility to try to protect our children from the influ- ence of online pornography� We protect our children from the dangers of tobacco and alcohol and, similarly, we should do the same in respect of online pornography� In 2017, the United Kingdom introduced the Digital Economy Act 2017, which includes the statutory rule that providers cannot provide pornography