Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am conscious that I have tabled a Commencement matter in the Seanad due to be taken at 11 a.m. Maybe the panel can refer to my question and I will read it from the transcript.

I am wondering about the addition of a legislative instrument to address these issues. I do not intend to disregard the most serious element of online abuse and harassment, but the vast bulk of people would really simply prefer that it stops, that the person is dealt with and that it simply goes away. The idea is, "Leave me alone, and give my head peace" as we say in Belfast, and simply stop it.

What would happen if we were to introduce some legal instrument to deal with this? Those of us with experience in the legal realm knows that it does not always move quickly. Is there a danger there could still be a prolonged period when this material exists, even if some measure is defined in statute? How does the panel envisage being able to deal with this swiftly and effectively in a legal context? I know that is not always the most doable thing within the legal context. For me, there is obviously a clear rationale in dealing with more dangerous content, especially around children and vulnerable people, as Dr. Aiken identified. Earlier, Deputy O'Callaghan referred to the stuff we see a good deal of. Other people may believe that it is terrible and they simply want it to stop. Is there a way that we can strike a positive balance to ensure that any measure is speedy but also legally grounded and effective? I apologise for having to leave shortly.