Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree. It is a challenge for us as legislators to deal with this issue as well, given the convergence of new technologies, and to explore how we can ensure our people are safe in this space. Will the relevant powers in this context be devolved to the new media commission and will it be taking on this responsibility? I do not say this lightly, but the media commission will be one of the most important regulators in the country, and that is why we have concerns regarding the staffing complement of the new body.

The move to regulate the social media companies represents a significant challenge. We have seen the Data Protection Commissioner, DPC, and other regulators, impose significant fines for breaches of codes, etc. Ms Craig has experience of having to deal with breaches of various media codes. My concern about the breaching of some of these codes by these large social media platforms is that in many ways they simply regard these fines as a cost of doing business and write them off. In instances where we see reckless behaviour by these companies, would it be appropriate for us to examine making the directors of these companies individually liable, including being subject to criminal liability? I draw a parallel here with health and safety legislation, which is taken much more seriously when an individual director of a company can be held criminally liable for reckless behaviour. Given Ms Craig's experience in enforcing codes and dealing with breaches by media outlets, what approach does she think should be taken on this issue?