Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications
Social Media: Discussion (Resumed) with National Anti-Bullying Coalition
9:55 am
Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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We are trying to get an overall view on cyberbullying and prepare a report to ensure action is taken at other levels. I congratulate the work being done by the witnesses and the amount of time and effort they put into it. Where are the flaws in the laws and treaties? Bullying has existed since Adam was a boy and certain standards and positions have been put in place. Many of the contributors who came before the committee last week stated it is an international issue with cross-jurisdictional aspects for which legislation does not exist. Even in his opening statement the Minister stated there may be a gap in the law. If the witnesses were asked to deal with this new phenomenon of cyberbullying which, as Mr. Larkin stated, goes straight into homes and bedrooms day and night, what laws and treaties would they say were necessary at international and national level?