Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy and her team for their engagement, and that engagement is still open as we proceed in the next week.

Unfortunately, I cannot accept her opposition to section 3. Section 3 provides for the ability to prescribe regulations in respect of the functioning of the Bill. Section 3 is necessary to ensure that where issues arise in terms of the effectiveness or efficiency of the implementation of the digital services regulation by Coimisiún na Meán or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Minister can respond quickly to introduce necessary procedural reforms. For example, some of the procedural steps set out in the Digital Services Bill may require revision, depending on how the European board for digital services engages with digital service co-ordinators of establishment in practice with regard to cross-border collaboration activities and joint investigations. This will only become fully clear after the board is formed, but if revisions of procedure are required, the Minister will need to be able to introduce the necessary reforms in a timely manner.

The section will not facilitate any policy change, but all such regulations would have to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas within 21 days. This approach will provide the Oireachtas with full and effective oversight of any procedural changes, as is the standard approach to all legislation in this phase term.