I have no wish to play politics with the issue I wish to raise with the Taoiseach today. I am deeply concerned at the breaking news that allegedly involves a 14 year old boy at the centre of a paedophile ring in Dublin. Apparently this young boy's mother became aware of extremely inappropriate texts on his mobile phone and, having quizzed the young boy, it became apparent that he was being sexually abused by up to ten men. He has given detailed evidence of his experience. It is alleged that among the ten men in question were a member of the teaching profession and a fully attested garda.

There is no worse tag in society than that of paedophile and there is no worse nightmare for a parent than that of paedophilia. How many parents in this country have asked their children, over the years, to contact a garda if they had information or difficulties in this regard? I do not wish to discuss the case under investigation but it would make a parent's blood run cold.

I am sure the Taoiseach will agree that a certain seediness has crept into Irish society and it is now the case that the sexuality of young children is being commodified. These reports, if true, make a mockery of the safeguards and criteria we lay down to protect our children. Perhaps the Taoiseach could indicate any current reports he has on this matter as it is of such import. If it is true that a 14 year old boy has been sexually abused by a paedophile ring of ten men, it may be that there are others, perhaps a significant number, who have been abused similarly. From that perspective, this is a most distressing incident and one that is of very serious import for thousands of parents and children and the Government.

On some matters I can give details to the House, while on others I cannot do so. I join with Deputy Kenny in saying that this is a very disturbing and worrying matter and the information, in so far as I have it, fits both categories. The House can be assured that the Garda is conducting a painstaking investigation into the serious allegations that have been made. The reports, as outlined by the Deputy, are at least partially true. In so far as I have the facts, at the end of last week, the mother of the boy in question, having seen the abusive, sexually-orientated messages on his mobile telephone, went in to Santry Garda station and handed the telephone over to the Garda. She did the right thing. Following an investigation over the weekend, I can confirm that a serving member of the Garda Síochána has been suspended and is under investigation along with a number of other persons. I cannot confirm reports as to the professions or identities of the other people but I can confirm a number of other people are under investigation. The investigation is at a critical stage and, as one would expect, the Garda will not give any information. It would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment, other than to say the case is being treated very seriously by the Commissioner and senior gardaí.

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I hope the Garda investigation is full and comprehensive. I suggest that the Minister for Education and Science, through her Department, run an information campaign on this danger to young people, making particular use of the schools network. I also suggest the Taoiseach speak to the chief executives of the mobile telephone companies. From speaking to a number of them in the past, I am aware that it is possible to block pornographic material on mobile telephones. Just as it is possible to block collections or forms of words on computers in schools, so too it may be possible to do something in respect of mobile telephone text messages. That is not the main issue, however, in the sense that at least two members of noble professions are allegedly involved in this case.

In December 2003, Deputy Enright made a series of proposals in respect of vetting those working with children. Vetting is crucial given the number of parents over the years who have advised their children to speak to a garda if they have a difficulty or problem. This matter is most distressing.

As I pointed out last week, this issue is about protection and information about protection. Did the Taoiseach consider issues arising from the referendum on protection for children over the weekend? No difficulties arise in respect of the zone of absolute protection or the criteria which can be laid down for the use of soft information. Perhaps the Taoiseach has considered having the matter dealt with speedily in view of the fact that the proposal is not opposed in the House.

I hope this most serious development will be followed through by the Garda as urgently as possible. I also hope that no other unfortunate children have been caught in this paedophile ring and that, arising from the Garda investigation, all necessary steps will be taken to deal with this most insidious destruction of innocence. The issue extends beyond politics and concerns every public representative and parent.

I acknowledge the correctness and speed with which the mother in this case acted. It has been difficult for her. Obviously the Garda must undertake a painstaking investigation into very serious allegations which are being treated in a very serious manner. People in positions of trust must understand that they have to be seen to be far removed from anything that breaks that trust. This is the reason that early reports on the case in question, on which I do not have all the facts, paint a disturbing, worrying and sinister picture.

On the broader question raised by the Deputy, a number of excellent campaigns about the safety of children were recently launched by the Minister of State with special responsibility for children and the National Children's Office. A campaign was launched in education about the safety of the Internet and information and communications technology. As of this year or last year, all new teachers have been vetted and the Garda has procedures in place. As Deputy Kenny will be aware, it is not always easy to find these people in vetting systems. The Garda investigation into this case has moved very quickly. These matters only came to light last week. The Garda is at a critical stage and is following through its investigations.

The Minister of State with special responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is anxious to talk to Opposition spokespersons to try to come to a conclusion on the constitutional referendum. I am hopeful this can be done over the next few days.