There have been calls for clearer Government regulations to deal with the use of camera phones in public swimming pools and leisure centres.
Earlier today, it was revealed picture-taking mobile phones were banned from leisure centres in a Northern Ireland borough amid fears of paedophiles using them.
There is an "urgent" need for a "clearer" and "more structured" Governmental recommendations on the issue here, according to Labour spokesperson on children Ms Kathleen O Meara. The Republic should have its own recommendations, she said, perhaps "based on similar UK guidelines" where applicable.
Coleraine Borough Council told ireland.comit had taken a proactive approach to recommendations by the British-based Institute of Sports and Recreation Management (ISRM) and were making the recommendations to all council-run leisure centres in the area. The ban is believed to be the first introduced in Northern Ireland.
A spokeswoman from Children at Risk in Ireland (CARI) said it was "not an extreme measure at all", adding the ban on camera phones might be "extended to a number of other areas".
Leisure centres contacted by ireland.comsaid they were aware of potential problems with camera phones. The publicly owned Newpark School Sports Centre said the ISRM document had been circulated in the Republic recommending a ban on all forms of cameras. "A lot of pools implement these guidelines already," she said.
A spokesman from the commercially run Blanchardstown Aquatic centre said it also follows the ISRM recommendations and had a ban on cameras in the swimming area, unless approved by management in advance.
A spokeswoman from Vodaphone Ireland said the company always advises customers to "use camera phones in appropriate ways" and in "appropriate situations".