Ms Catherine Lane:

We are very aware of the insidious nature of the online harassment and abuse that women in public and political life experience and of the impact that has. We are supportive of a stronger regulatory framework for online companies. The Association of Irish Local Government recently carried out a survey of its members and found that very high numbers of councillors and elected representatives experience a high level of abuse online. We are concerned that this will further marginalise women and add to the existing barriers to them entering or staying in political life. We do not necessarily agree that there should be a threshold of tolerance for abuse because someone is in public office. Why would people take the type of abuse that women, and particularly women from LGBT backgrounds or Traveller women, have to endure on an ongoing basis? I will not say any more because I know we are tight on time.