Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We know the reason for the EU Digital Services Act. We know the issues there have been, in particular with big tech, with regard to disinformation, bullying and content on which there was no checking in any way, shape or form. Beyond that, from the likes of Frances Haugen and others, we got into the ins and outs of the algorithms of companies like Facebook. You had an online tool that was fabulous from a communications point of view, but the difficulty was that it could be weaponised by state and non-state actors in organised and disorganised fashion. We all realise the journey had to be made into some form of online regulation, in particular where big tech is. We all know the companies we are talking about. This morning on my local radio station, LMFM, somebody sent in a particular comment about migration. I think people can guess the general tone. I will paraphrase the comment from Michael Reade, which was something like how he did not understand what the story is with people who present these things as absolute facts because they saw them on some form of social media. We are in absolute support of making sure we get this right. Of course there will be questions, and amendments will be required. We have to do our absolute best to make sure we have something that is fit for purpose. We know the wider issues. We talk about Facebook, and we know the wider issue with the Rohingya. That is when you see something at its worst, where an online tool can be weaponised to carry out the worst of actions.

Coimisiún na Meán is designated as the digital services co-ordinator for Ireland. The functions and powers of the digital services co-ordinator will include the ability to impose fines and to co-operate across borders and with other digital services co-ordinators. The European Commission will issue specific certifications, updating the liability regime from the e-commerce directive 2000, and the content, handling and take-down relating to court orders. We all know there are a huge number of question marks about this.

Deputy O'Reilly spoke about the difficulties there may be for certain SMEs and micro businesses that may not necessarily apply to big tech. That is something we must examine. It is all well and good having someone who is a vetted researcher but, at this point in time, for example, we are dealing with a huge level of bias across the European Union in regard to the disgraceful actions of Israel. On some level, social media companies are probably just following the line that is there from the West. Whatever we do as regards getting this regulation as fit for purpose as possible, unless we are willing to staff and fund Coimisiún na Meán and the CCPC in respect of its operation, none of that will really matter. There will have to be a huge deep dive to ensure we can provide what needs to be provided.

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