Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Time is tight. I would like to let the members and witnesses know that I am due to speak in the Dáil Chamber, so I will be stepping in and out of the meeting, but I will be following the proceedings.

I wish to address Ms Plunkett directly for a moment. I want to thank her and commend her on her bravery. I know that it is not easy. It is never easy to do something like this, particularly in the circumstances as have been outlined and given the nature of the work and the manner in which her employer uses NDAs and other mechanisms within the workplace. I do not think that anyone will disagree with me when I say that Ms Plunkett is a brave young woman and she is doing her colleagues, and indeed her union, a great service today. As Ms Crider has pointed out, it is the first time that any parliament has had the opportunity to discuss this issue. It is absolutely necessary. I think every person participating in this meeting uses social media. I would be surprised if they do not. We all use social media and know the benefits of using it. However, we can all use these platforms safely because of people like Ms Plunkett. There are people like Ms Plunkett who stand between us and the kind of disgusting, vile content that has been alluded to and not even described. I do not think that we would even be able to listen to the descriptions of it, much less to have to experience it. The reason that we can use these platforms is because of people like Ms Plunkett. Therefore, the work that they do is absolutely essential and is core to the business of the platforms. The fact that it is outsourced is deeply worrying.

It is deeply worrying on a number of levels. It is deeply worrying from the point of view of workers' rights. It is also worrying that from a user perspective, the platforms feel that it is okay to have this essential front-line work conducted at a remove from the main companies. That is very wrong. We are talking about issues of health and safety, and the personal safety of those who are moderating the content. That is core to the business.

I do not have enough words with which I can salute Ms Plunkett. She has been very brave today. As we all know, and as I say at many of our meetings, the strongest message that any worker can send to their employer and, indeed, to Government and politicians is to join a union and be active in that trade union. That gives the worker a voice and that is why Ms Plunkett is here today.

I ask whichever of the witnesses has the information to hand the following questions. What supports are available currently? I know that sometimes we are told that supports are available. I am referring specifically to supports available to content moderators who are not directly employed. What sort of supports should be available? There is no disputing that the work is dangerous. The health, safety and welfare at work legislation provides for checks, balances, safety equipment, education and other measures as part of dealing with a hazardous work environment, which is the kind of work environment the content moderators are dealing with.

It is deeply worrying on a number of levels. From the point of view of workers' rights, it is deeply worrying

One of the witnesses could describe what kind of supports could be put in place and what should be done.