Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to online political advertisements, we can see what happened when the HSE online systems were overtaken. How does the Minister of State intend to enforce this legislation and how will he make sure it can happen, so we do not have another catastrophe such as happened with the HSE and all the medical records?

I am in full favour of 100% transparency when it comes to online political media, which helps the parties such as independent candidates, who are running at the moment, because they do not get as much of a chance to be on broadcast television slots as do the Government members. If one considers the percentages, the Independents get a minute percentage of time on national media, which is funded by the Government, on Covid and other issues at the moment. The only outlet for us Independents is social media, which gives 100% transparency when one considers some who say one thing when on the radio and television and then vote the opposite way when they are in the Dáil. From that point of view online media offers 100% transparency for people and Independent Deputies who represent their counties.