Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Feighan in commenting on Declan Rice's decision to declare his allegiance to the English international soccer team instead of the Republic. He is quite entitled to make this decision. I understand that he qualified to play for the Republic through his grandparents and he was, after all, born and reared in England and is entitled to declare for his own country.

I want to focus on the abuse Declan Rice is receiving on so-called social media. I have raised this on several occasions in this House and other fora. The Deputy Leader has experienced some of this in the past, as have other Members of the House. It is time we stood up and legislated for the proper use of social media. While I understand it is not easy to do that because of the international context of these media, it is important to take a first step and the onus is on us in this Oireachtas to do so.

I highlighted the case of an up and coming country and western star who has suffered physically, mentally and financially because of the horrific abuse he is receiving on social media. I have reported the case to the Garda Síochána, through the Commissioner, and an investigation is under way. In many respects, in spite of threats to this individual, the Garda's hands are tied because there is no law to prevent this horrific abuse on social media. It is time we stood up and made a start for innocent people going about their business. People like Eamonn Jackson in County Cavan and Declan Rice in England are suffering unwarranted abuse from keyboard warriors without any consideration of the damage it causes their physical and mental health and financial well-being. I ask the Deputy Leader to use her good offices to start the ball rolling in that regard.