One of the commitments of the programme for Government is that the Government will ensure robust protections are in place to protect children while online. There is frightening research published in today's edition of The Irish Times by a company named Zeeko, which confirms that one third of eight year olds and two thirds of sixth class pupils are playing adult games online and that the average age at which children go online is six years old. The former Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Naughten, said in January that there are gaping holes that are being exploited with sickening consequences and that there needed to be a whole-of-Government approach on the issue. Despite the opposition of the Taoiseach, the Government agreed last January to appoint a digital safety commissioner. Will the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan, confirm that this process is under way and that we will have a digital safety commissioner in place by year end?

I can confirm that every consideration is being given to this matter in the context of what is a whole-of-Government approach involving a number of Departments and a review group led by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, under the chairmanship of the Minister of that Department, Deputy Bruton, and comprised of officials from the Departments of Education and Skills and Children and Youth Affairs and my Department, in terms of the criminal justice elements. The matter referenced by Deputy Calleary is under consideration and I expect that the group will report soon.