Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O’Reilly. We had a very good discussion. She is absolutely not putting words in my mouth. I certainly would not wish to inadvertently exclude a body from being able to apply for vetted researcher status.

Following our discussion on Committee Stage, I have reviewed the Bill. On foot of the review I undertook in light of our discussion, I am again satisfied that the Bill does not have the effect of excluding any specific researchers from making an application for vetted researcher status. What the Bill does is set out the steps for that vetted researcher application status.

The granting to the applicant of a designation as a vetted researcher depends on them meeting the set of conditions that is provided for already in the digital services regulation. We do not have the scope to amend those conditions. The EU regulation has a direct effect in this regard. The digital services co-ordinator in each member state will have to use the same set of conditions in assessing whether an applicant is to be designated as a vetted researcher. Therefore, it cannot be the case that a researcher can meet the conditions for vetted researcher status in one member state but not in another. However, there is nothing in the EU regulation that would automatically preclude researchers affiliated with trade unions or a non-governmental organisation, to which the next amendment refers, from being designated as vetted researchers. Such researchers are eligible if they demonstrate that they satisfy the conditions set out in the digital services regulation. Again, I want to emphasise to Deputy O'Reilly that we do not want to inadvertently exclude a body from being able to apply for vetted researcher status. Having read the Bill again following our discussion last week, I am confident that will not happen.

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