Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is okay. I hear what Mr. Meade is saying. I wish to make one other point. Senator Higgins need not worry; she will get her bite at the cherry.

The representatives from Facebook cited, in their opening statement and in their contribution since, the extent of their response to material that is inappropriate and that is brought to their attention internally or reported to them. I am going to refer to a particular case of which I am aware, and to at least two Facebook pages that existed for a number of years. I refer to the recent outrageous and dreadful attack on Kevin Lunney, a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings. At least one of the Facebook pages in question referenced, by name, the senior executives of the company and allegations were made against them. Other posts included mock-ups of posters calling individuals traitors and warning of consequences. The intention in this regard was to misrepresent and label those executives. Some of them were referenced on the page. When I sat with these people, including Kevin Lunney, earlier this year, I was mindful that we were embarking on this particular exercise. My question would have been put to our guests in any event, regardless of what happened to Kevin recently, which was an absolute disgrace. My question is the same as it would have been if the attack had not taken place. The executives in question made repeated requests of Facebook to remove the offensive material. I understand that Facebook removed it he day after Kevin Lunney was kidnapped and attacked. Facebook described is as a violation of authenticity guidelines. I wonder how our guests will explain the meaning of the latter. In any event, it was action after the event. It was much too late. The material was hugely offensive. It was intended to harm the good name and reputation of the people involved and, as a Deputy representing the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, I believe it fed into a view that in some way those people, the named parties, and the businesses they were involved in, were a legitimate target for the worst excesses of what I can only describe as the most ill-informed people on this island. How does Facebook respond to the example I have cited? I would have raised it with Facebook even if the attack had not taken place because the pages should have been removed. The vile content and its intent and purpose is an affront to any and every one of us. I invite Mr. Ó Broin and Ms Rush to respond.