Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Bill brought forward by my colleague from Cork is very important. Deputy Ó Laoghaire certainly has his finger on the pulse. The issue of definition will be the deciding factor in the context of the Bill and we will need to see the Deputy's work on that aspect at some point. The criteria are very important and, while he provided a brief outline, I would welcome the text when it is ready because it will give us the basis on how to move forward and guide us as to how implementable the Bill will be. Future-proofing will also be a major issue because the Bill will need some longevity. We have seen dramatic changes in the industry in the past three or four years and I am sure there will be more changes in the years to come. How will we frame it to make sure it is future-proofed?

Ms Quill referred to the issue of European legislation versus national legislation. Can the Department provide an up-to-date view on how domestic legislation will affect a global giant based in Ireland? If the Bill is enacted, will it be for the 4 million people of Ireland or given that a company might have its European headquarters here, will we be policing that company's entire European network?

Are we going to be stuck with legislation which will look to solve an Irish issue? Unfortunately the global content will still play a part. How can we police the global content? We all have friends from all over the world. How will this interaction happen? If one posts something in another jurisdiction and then travel to this jurisdiction, who polices that content? Is it policed in the place where it was posted or where it was received? How does that all tie together? We are operating as a global entity.

I have mentioned the advertisements we see on Facebook and Google at this time of the year. Now that Halloween is over, Christmas advertisements have started to spring up on my iPad, which my daughters use on a regular basis. The advertisements are about Christmas shopping, Santa Claus and so on. Is that the market the companies are targeting? I am referring particularly to Google Kids, which is very popular in my household, and similar websites. Is there a major drive for commercial gain from that platform through the children using it? The first 30 seconds of whatever they watch is going to be an advertisement about something. Is that an issue that must be addressed? It is quite pervasive. The shopping list for Santa is done already because of those advertisements. Is that a big issue we should look at and address? Do the witnesses feel that that kind of information should be screened?