An Garda Síochána has appointed a senior officer to carry out an investigation into the force's failure to act on information that two Irish-based computers were involved in an alleged child pornography ring.
Following angry reaction by the Opposition and by organisations dealing with child welfare and sexual abuse issues to the events, the Garda this evening announced it would carry out an inquiry.
In a statement, the Garda press office said: "Arising from the apparent failures involved in processing information circulated on the I-24 Interpol network relating to the above subject matter [the distribution of child pornography on the Internet], Chief Superintendent Derek Byrne has been appointed to carry out a fact-finding investigation into the full circumstances of the failure to react to the Interpol communication and the subsequent statement to the effect that such document had not been received by An Garda Síochána."
Earlier, the deputy head of the Garda press office said there would be no disciplinary inquiry despite the Garda's admission earlier today that information from the Austrian authorities slipped through the net at garda headquarters.
"There's no doubt about it, this piece of information was missed and a lot of other countries missed it as well, but that's a small consolation to us," Insp Ray McHugh told RTÉ's News at One.
"Thousands of pieces of information every year come through. Interpol is a very important part of the worldwide policing operation. Part and parcel of that we work hand in hand with other countries, with massive amounts of information flowing in all directions daily."
"Our priority now is to make sure what information we have we can act upon satisfactorily."
Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Michael McDowell also said today he did not believe there should be any disciplinary action taken.
This morning, the Garda issued a statement expressing its 'regret' that action was not taken last August when it was notified that computers in Ireland were involved in the alleged child pornography ring.
The Austrian authorities revealed on Wednesday they had identified more than 2,300 computer-users in more than 70 countries, including two based in Ireland, who had viewed pictures of young children being sexually abused.
Olwyn Enright, Fine Gael
The Garda initially denied it had received notification of the investigation from the Austrian authorities, but then yesterday admitted that its Interpol division had been notified last August.
In today's statement, the Garda confirmed its Interpol office at Garda headquarters had received information from the Austrian authorities "that they were processing reports of child pornography on the internet".
"Ireland was included as one of the 72 countries named. It is regretted that it was not actioned at the time. It is understood that a large number of other countries named are in a similar position due to the general nature of the circulation on the Interpol network," the statement said.
"Immediately Garda management became aware of the information in recent days an investigation was directed. Garda investigators have been in contact with the Austrian authorities and specific details have been sought to allow a proper investigation to take place in this jurisdiction to establish if any crime(s) was/were committed here. The information is awaited from the Austrian authorities," the statement concluded.
The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) called for the introduction of clearer international protocols to address and investigate cases of child pornography.
"In particular, international protocols needs to be strengthened so that information regarding child protection concerns sent from international bodies, such as Interpol, are sent as a priority, and are dealt with and prioritised appropriately when they are received," the ISPCC said in a statement.
"In addition, the ISPCC believes that more resources need to be allocated to Irish investigative systems, including the Garda Vetting Unit and those other intelligence units within the Garda Síochána that are responsible for Internet-based crime."
ISPCC
"There is a clear link between those individuals accessing child pornography and the direct, sexual abuse of a child. While some estimates have been higher, a study by US postal inspectors indicates that 36% of those individuals accessing child pornography are abusing children."
The ISPCC said welcomed the developments made in recent years and commended the Garda for their "ongoing commitment" to addressing the serious issue.
Barnardos' director of advocacy Norah Gibbons expressed concern at the way the information from the Austrian authorities was dealt with by the Garda.
She warned of the need to ensure that all those involved in child protection, including the Gardai, were fully aware of these challenges including the need to prioritise and investigate information when it is received.
"All of us, but especially those on the front line of child protection, have an obligation to prioritise child safety and when alerted of the potential for abuse that we act upon it, it is not something that should be ignored and filed away," Ms Gibbons said.
Fine Gael's education spokeswoman Olwyn Enright said the Garda must explain the "unacceptable lapse" in relation to the tip-off from the Austrian authorities.
Green Party justice spokesman Ciarán Cuffe called upon the Minister for Justice to explain how information received by the Garda was ignored.
"It is entirely unacceptable that the gardaí chose not to respond to the information from the Austrian authorities sent through the Interpol communications network back in August of 2006. I am calling on the Minister for Justice to explain how the decision was made to ignore this vital information, and to outline the steps that both he and the Garda Commissioner will be taking to ensure that this does not happen again."