Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Only a short time is available to me as I must be in the other House in seven minutes. I thank Senators for their contributions. One of the major issues facing us is that of online content. Senator Higgins raised the issue of advertising, a complex area that can probably only be regulated at European Union level rather than domestically. Having said that, I take the Senator's point regarding RTÉ. We will write directly to RTÉ and other public service broadcasters on the specific matter she raised.

I had some engagement with Facebook and I understand the company will soon implement new standards. We are all conscious of developments in respect of the referendum next month, as are all of the online platforms. There is no doubt but that our legislation needs to be modernised. Some action can be taken domestically and we need to do as much as we can. Last year, at a conference on online safety on Facebook, I noted that legislation is a 17th century tool being used to deal with a 21st century economy. Regardless of how quickly legislators move, we will always be behind the curve. The challenge facing us is difficult as enacting law requires us to go through ten Stages in both Houses, which means by the time legislation is enacted, it has been superseded by technology. We need to try to get ahead of the curve. I honestly do not know what tools are available to achieve this, whether they are global principles or core values that can be enshrined in some form of legislation. However, I accept that this is an ongoing challenge and one we must seek to address.

I will ask my officials to revert to Senators with replies to their detailed questions.

The general data protection regulation, GDPR, will address much of these issues arising in the area of data harvesting.

Senator Lombard raised an important point when he noted that we do not have our televisions switched on for 24 hours each day, whereas we have Wi-Fi switched on 24 hours a day in our homes. As adults, we must learn some lessons from our children regarding the way in which technology has advanced. In fairness to the Department of Education and Skills, it has a valuable resource. The objective should be to try to bring this out into the wider community, rather than confining it to the Department.

I accept that we face a major challenge in respect of public service broadcasting, which faces a funding crunch. When I was appointed, a number of issues were causing headaches throughout the Department, one of which was the deep crisis in An Post. There is now light at the end of the tunnel regarding An Post. The Department is working closely with the director general, Ms Dee Forbes, and her team in RTÉ to see if we can plot out a clear future and create daylight for the organisation. RTÉ should not be about the footprint of its buildings but what it can provide to society as a whole. RTÉ, TG4 and other public service broadcasters are providing a vital public service and they will be very much part of what we are culturally in future.

Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell stated that Irish people listen to more radio than people in any other country in the world. My colleagues in the rest of Europe do not even know what community radio stations are. I was glad to be the first Minister to take a proactive step in supporting community radio stations and I will continue to try to do so.

I ask Senators to propose constructive suggestions and ideas for moving this issue forward as I do not have all the solutions. Some thoughts and ideas have been proposed at the joint committee but I would welcome and will listen to further proposals and ideas.