Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Article 40.8 of the EU Digital Services Act provides for the digital services co-ordinator to grant researchers the status of vetted researchers for specific research. The criteria for being considered for approval as a vetted researcher are laid down in paragraphs (a) to (g) of that article. This amendment will ensure applications from a recognised trade union or NGO for approval as a vetted researcher will be considered.

This should be facilitated under Article 2.1 of the EU Directive 2019/790, which refers to research organisations and entities whose primary goal is to conduct scientific research or carry out educational activities involving the conduct of scientific research pursuant to a public interest mission recognised by a member state. I do not think the directive was clear enough in this regard. It might be that it is implied and that what we do here will be enough to put it on the record but it would be really unfortunate if an established NGO or trade union could be excluded on the basis of the current definitions. I am reasonably confident the intention is not to exclude; I would be surprised if the Minister of State was to say it is. He can call me cautious. It is just belt, braces and baler twine in order to be sure that the criteria do not unintentionally exclude groups there is a need to have as trusted researchers.