The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children has stressed that combating child pornography is combating child abuse and new legislation would have to recognise this. The Government has approved the drafting of legislation to deal with child pornography.
In a statement, the association says there is an "equal and simultaneous need to prosecute acts of child abuse portrayed or depicted in pornographic material".
"Any new legislation will only be as effective as the strength of the powers of search and seizure granted to the gardai and customs, including the power to search private residences," the statement said.