Mr. Bernard Joyce:

I think that is a really good question Deputy Gibney asked. In our submission, we have outlined a particular scenario but I will cover that for the benefit of the committee members.

In the context of our input here, it is through a human rights lens and perspective, more so with regard to Travellers, Roma and minority groups who face the brunt of hate online, the division that creates and how that perpetuates itself in communities. I mean to see that in the context of how Ireland and society is now shifting and changing and we are really trying to play catch-up without adequate legislation.

With reference to a survey that was carried out, for example, TikTok and Facebook host certain pages. A survey was carried out where 65% of Travellers said they experienced identity-based discrimination, the second-highest findings of six European countries researched, and 52% experience hate-motivated harassment, with such offences committed on the street or online.

Particular groups are now facing a barrage of online hatred. It is extreme, it is incited and it has an impact, particularly on children.