Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Lorraine Higgins for raising this matter. The pervasive use of social media together with the rise of connected mobile devices has created a new and unique set of challenges for individuals and Government. The issues are complex. The Internet is difficult to regulate and a balance must be struck between preserving freedom of expression online and protecting all our citizens from cyberbullying and harmful and grossly offensive content, particularly, but not exclusively, children.All governments across the world are grappling with the challenge of finding an appropriate model for the governance of online content. A cohesive Government response to this issue is necessary to achieve a safe and healthy online environment, which allows us to enjoy the many benefits of the Internet without exposure to unacceptable behaviour or risk.

Aspects of the legal and administrative system have adapted to the issues posed by electronic communications, and work has also been undertaken at European Union level. The European Digital Single Market promises to bring new standards of accountability to the online world and provide greater powers for individual citizens to respond to online wrongs. Here in Ireland, the Government established the Internet content governance advisory group in late 2013 to provide independent, expert advice on these matters. The ICGAG's comprehensive analysis and recommendations were brought to Cabinet and published last June. The ICGAG's recommendations have formed the basis of subsequent action, including the establishment of a cross-departmental group that is considering how best to implement the recommendations.

This cross-departmental group is chaired by an official from my Department, and includes representatives from the Departments of Health, Justice and Equality, Children and Youth Affairs, and Education and Skills. The group is also taking account of the issues identified by the Law Reform Commission in its issues paper on cybercrime affecting personal safety and privacy, including cyberbullying. The group will report back to Government shortly and the final report will be published in due course. I look forward to having a debate in this House on that report to see how best we can move this agenda forward at that stage.

I agree with the Senator that the issue of cyberbullying would be best addressed in this context if only because the distinction between cyberbullying and other forms of undesirable online behaviour is unclear. I understand the Senator listed eight Government bodies including a number of Departments that have an involvement in the area. While it would be desirable and essential to have a coherent response, it is inevitable that different bodies will still have some responsibility over this area. For example, for broadcasting the regulator is the BAI; the criminal dimension is the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Equality, and the Garda Síochána; the Data Protection Commissioner's responsibilities are set out in legislation and so on. That said, I have considerable sympathy with the Senator, whose work in the area is well acknowledged, in saying that the response must be coherent, pulling together all the strands of Government activity both within Government and through agencies. I look forward to discussing how best to achieve that when I bring a report to Government following the cross-departmental group's analysis of the ICGAG report.