Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan has warned Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that he will introduce statutory regulation of the industry if they fail to comply with voluntary codes of conduct.
Mr Lenihan expressed his concerns at the launch of the Office for Internet Safety, established to combat internet child pornography and ensure ISPs work to prevent illegal or harmful content appearing on the internet.
The office, which will be operated by the Department of Justice, will also have responsibility for dealing with complaints made to the internet hotline (www.hotline.ie), a service operated and funded by the industry, and for conducting internet safety awareness campaigns.
"It is incumbent on all involved in promoting the internet to ensure the best possible protection for the community and to reduce the risk of internet crime, particularly that involving the exploitation of children, in all situations," Mr Lenihan said.
Members of the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland had fully co-operated with measures to protect children and the vulnerable through their own self-regulatory code, Mr Lenihan said.
The association also operated and funded the hotline which was a crucial service in the battle against "the evil of child pornography", he said.
"It is not an accident that we have had no reported incident of a child pornographic site being either hosted or distributed on the internet from Irish ISP facilities." However, he said not all ISPs were members of the association and not all subscribed to the code of practice or financially supported the hotline.
"It is not good enough that some in this industry leave it to others to ensure that the internet is a safer place for all. I want all the industry to be active contributors in support of the industry code of practice and the hotline," he said.
Mr Lenihan said he was still willing to allow the industry to maintain its self-regulation, but it would be a "major preoccupation" of the new office to get all ISPs on board. "If there is recalcitrance on behalf of the industry I will put the office on a statutory basis for the safety of our children and other vulnerable users of the internet."
Mr Lenihan also yesterday launched two booklets for parents on protecting their child against harmful internet content.
The booklets, A Parents' Guide to new media technologies and A Parents' Guide to filtering technologies, are available for free through libraries, community information centres and online at www.iab.ie or www.justice.ie
