Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I echo the words of Senators Higgins and Warfield with regard to the announcement by Facebook that it will restrict foreign advertising on the eighth amendment for the duration of the referendum campaign. This is to be welcomed and we hope Google will follow suit.

There may be a loophole, however, with regard to Internet ad-handling companies. These are Irish-based companies which can receive funding from international companies to advertise on their behalf on the Internet. We have to be cognisant of this. There is a short window of opportunity for international companies to advertise and, in some cases, give false information to the Irish people. We are in the lead-up to the referendum on 25 May. It is important that the Irish people receive correct information and there is not interference from foreign companies with digital advertising. Irish companies, which are in the business of ad handling, should be aware that Facebook has taken some leadership today, and it we hope to see Google do likewise. I hope these Irish-based companies, for the want of a few bob, will not advertise foreign companies and take advantage of a potential loophole.