Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Government's digital framework strategy commits to build a strong well-resourced network of regulators to oversee and enforce digital regulation which must ensure the safety of all. Fáiltím go bhfuil admhaithe sa straitéis seo go gcuirfear le chéile coimisinéir sábháilteachta ar líne chun córas a chur ar bun do shábháilteacht ar líne.

The progress on this issue is glacial. All the issues in regard to online bullying and online harassment evolve and change at a rapid pace and the Government's and the previous Government's response has been far too slow. This is an enormous social issue, and the Taoiseach knows that. Online bullying and online harassment destroys lives. It is bad enough for children to be bullied at school or for people to be bullied at work but it then follows them home. That is the problem with this.

There is an issue in regard to an individual complaints mechanism. It is incredible that we are setting up an expert group at this stage when I proposed a Private Members' Bill in 2018 which had passed Second Stage and had the support of the committee that proposed it. This idea has been out there for a long time. This has still not been established on an administrative basis. When will it happen and will there be an individual complaints mechanism?

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