Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their very interesting presentations. I question whether we can reasonably expect journalists to drive change. Government seeks change, I do not think journalists see it as their job to support the Government in that. What we need from journalism is assurance that false facts will be challenged and not that it will get into the job of the Government in trying to nudge people towards particular behaviour. Maybe I am wrong and journalism sees itself differently.

I am a little bit surprised we are not hearing more about the theory of nudge in behavioural activity. I know the British Government set it up and are doing practical things like opting out instead of opting in. We have put in smart meters now in 1 million homes but homeowners have to opt in to avail of the impact of smart meters. We are told this is because of general data protection regulation, GDPR, but opting out would create a normal expectation that people were going to manage their electricity. That is the sort of thing. The person chosen to be the messenger on behalf of the Government is important. If someone like me goes on and says people should be doing something, you know how people will react but if it is a football star or a personality, there will be a very different reaction due to the credibility of the person and the profile. Other things such as creating games, recognition of good behaviour and reinforcing that. I would have thought the witnesses would be much more into that sphere rather than us hoping journalists will do the job for us.

The big takeaway I got is that when there are big changes in one's own life, there is a big opportunity for the Government to present options. Maybe Deputy Alan Farrell's point about the cycling lanes and the reorganisation of traffic can be that but there is also the birth of a baby, moving house or a whole lot of things that might have an effect. The big question I have to ask is what makes a regulation work. We are all saying we are going to have to regulate, people are not spontaneously do this and education is not going to get them do it. What guidance would the witnesses give the Government on designing a good regulation? That would be a useful conversation and I would like to hear the guests' views.