Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to bring up the same issue that has been raised by several Members, namely, the recent neknominations craze which has swept Ireland and which regrettably has resulted in the loss of lives. It is imperative that the Government responds to this issue, given that it straddles a number of Departments. It seems that increasing YouTube and Facebook hits is the aim of the whole phenomenon but it goes against all evidence-based data which indicates that this kind of behaviour has to stop. It is appalling that Facebook, YouTube and other social media outlets will not take down these videos. What these children are doing is akin to self harm. There is no evidence to suggest that some of these people are not under 18. It should be of concern to all legislators here and we need to get the various Ministers to come together with a joined-up approach. We need to look at the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and Equality, as well as the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. Unless we do so, we are shirking our own responsibilities to the Irish people.