The Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan, has announced he is to establish an Office for Internet Safety.
The office, which will be part of the Department of Justice, will be responsible for Internet safety, awareness campaigns and monitoring Internet Service Providers.
Brian Lenihan says he is concerned about children being targeted for sexual exploitation online.
He said: 'I am particularly concerned about the need to protect our children from the pernicious activities of those who would use the Internet to target them for sexual exploitation.
'The establishment of a dedicated Office for Internet Safety is an important step in the process of building the best possible protection for the community at large and in particular for children from the downside of the Internet.'
An Internet Safety Advisory Council is also to be set up involving representatives from the industry.
