Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that the Government recognises the importance of integrated actions across all relevant Departments to address online safety, including in order to tackle cyberbullying.

Together with my colleagues, the Ministers for Children and Youth Affairs, Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Education and Skills, Deputies Zappone, Denis Naughten and Bruton, I appeared before the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs as part of its examination of cybersecurity for children and young adults. In March, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment hosted an open policy debate with a wide range of stakeholders to consider future actions in this area.

On foot of this, all relevant Departments with responsibility in this area are working together to develop a whole-of-Government approach in the form of an integrated action plan. This work is being taken forward under the auspices of the relevant Cabinet committee.

It is important to remember that many forms of harmful online content and behaviours, including cyberbullying, are not necessarily criminal in nature. There is a general consensus that the appropriate response to addressing such online issues is one that encompasses educational and awareness-raising campaigns, as well as effective actions and policies on the part of Internet companies.

A number of initiatives are under way across Government to promote Internet safety, particularly where children are concerned. My Department, for example, operates the Office for Internet Safety, which provides information and guidance on various aspects of Internet safety, principally in the form of online material on subjects such as filtering, using social media and the vexed question of cyberbullying. Similarly, Webwise, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, develops guidance on internet safety for use in the education sector.

As Minister for Justice and Equality, my primary responsibilities in this area relate to the development of effective responses under the criminal law. An important consideration is that the criminal law targets behaviour that is illegal, whether online or offline.

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