Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications this morning commences its hearings on challenges facing individuals, families and communities from the rise of social media, including the challenges posed by cyberbullying and online harassment. We welcome those viewing at home on UPC channel 207, which is available in over 300,000 homes across the country.

Over the next four meetings, we plan to explore how the irresponsible use of social media channels might be curbed. We are also inviting members of the public and interested groups across the country to have their say and feed into the process. They can do so by going to our website at oireachtas.ie and we thank all those individuals and groups who have taken the time to make a contribution so far.

In commencing our public discussions on this matter, I emphasise that the committee’s consideration of this area is not about politicians. Rather we want to explore how the rights of ordinary citizens can be protected on social media outlets. There has been increasing public concern about the nature of some social media commentary. These hearings are about protecting the citizens we serve, and ensuring that individual rights are maintained and vindicated across social media channels.

I thank the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, for his presence here today and look forward to hearing his perspective as we commence our discussions. This will be followed by a presentation by officials from the Office for Internet Safety. This office plays a key role in co-ordinating the State's approach to Internet safety. The social media companies will also assist us in producing an outcome that is in the public interest. We look forward to welcoming representatives from Twitter and Facebook at tomorrow's hearings. Next week we will hear from representatives of the National Anti-Bullying Coalition, who will inform us on the issue of cyberbullying.

We start this consultation with open minds. If we get this right, we will have endeavoured to protect individuals and safeguard the potential of social media from those who seek to subvert it. There is no doubt that social media have immense potential for public good and civic engagement and the committee simply wants to ensure that they do so without impacting adversely on people's individual rights. Informed by these public hearings, along with the submissions received from the public, we will prepare a report with practical recommendations to be considered by Government.

On behalf of the committee I welcome the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, and his officials. By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, you are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I also wish to advise that the opening statements you have submitted to the committee may be published on the committee website after this meeting. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House, or any official by name in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I invite the Minister to make his opening statement.