A report before the Government recommends self-regulation rather than legal controls to curb the distribution of child pornography on the Internet. The report of the working group on illegal or harmful uses of the Internet is before the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, and is expected to be published shortly. It is understood to favour voluntary codes of conduct, partnership and co-operation among Internet service providers (ISPs) and other relevant bodies, rather than statutory regulation. ISPs are the primary channel through which users, both at home and at work, access the Internet.

Acknowledging that the Internet may be the principal channel for the distribution of child pornography and other paedophile information, the group proposes a national strategy for dealing with illegal and harmful uses of the Internet. The proposals fall into four main areas. The first is a system of self-regulation by ISPs, in line with other European initiatives which favour voluntary codes of practice over regulation.

The report calls on ISPs to raise public awareness of the issues involved and to provide a common mechanism for enabling users to filter Internet content.

The second proposal is the establishment of a complaints hotline, to enable the public to report illegal material on the Internet, leading to investigation and, where possible, action.

This would involve a rating system for material which originates in Ireland and co-operation with similar international hotlines for material which originates outside the State.

The group recommends the Government fund the hotline, at least until the ISP industry becomes profitable.

Another recommendation is the setting up of a national Internet advisory body, to oversee the self-regulation framework. This body would be responsible for running the complaints hotline, as well as promoting a safe Internet environment, and would include members from ISPs, the Garda, the Government, education and child protection bodies, the Information Society Commission and Internet users.

Finally, the group proposes information programmes to raise public awareness of the issues involved in illegal and harmful uses of the Internet, particularly in schools.

In drawing up its report, the Department of Justice's working group is attempting to protect children from unsavoury Internet material and to curtail paedophile use of the Internet but recognises the inherent difficulty in policing the Internet. The Internet is available throughout the world and material posted on it in any country is usually available everywhere.

The report says ISPs have a key role but acknowledges they cannot be fully aware of the content of Internet material, be it email, newsgroups, mailing lists, online chat groups or pages of information on the World Wide Web.

The report also highlights the balance between the negative and positive aspects of the Internet. It urges increased awareness of both and strikes a note of caution, saying poorly informed moral panic will hinder the progress the Internet brings. It says the Internet is a new and constantly changing phenomenon, requiring new methods of analysis and control. Thus, the group has opted to recommend a partnership approach between the Internet industry, its users and those concerned with protection of children.

The working group was formed in February last year and comprises representatives of the Garda, several Government Departments, the Attorney General's office, the film censor's office, UNICEF, the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland and relevant academic and research bodies.

Following the publication of this report, the working group is expected to monitor the rapidly changing Internet environment and to identify new issues in its next report.

Eoin Licken can be contacted at eoin@stilet.to