Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement made by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, that he will introduce legislation to appoint an online safety commissioner. That is a hugely positive result for the people who have long championed the need for a regulator. Organisations like Cyber Safe Ireland and the ISPCC and the Ombudsman for Children have also called for the commission for some time. It also reflects the recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission in its report on digital safety and harmful communications. Forming a stand-alone office will strengthen the State's efforts to combat micro-targeting, advertisements and cyberbullying. Ultimately, the initiative will allow users to interact online in a safer manner. The proposals mirror the Digital Safety Commissioner Bill 2017, which was brought forward by Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I commend him on his efforts because without them, I do not think the current initiative would be happening.

I wish to note my concern as to why the Government must spend time and resources drafting its own legislation and taking up the time of the Select Committee on Justice and Equality as it is already working on the Bill put forward by Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I call on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to work with the committee and amend the legislation, if necessary. That would be a more prudent use of resources.

The Minister for Health said on this week's "The Week in Politics" that some of the Private Members' Bills brought forward in these Houses are poorly drafted. He is right but in defence of Members who draft legislation, they do not have the resources of an entire Department at their disposal. If a Department is willing to support, in principle, legislation, then there is an onus and a responsibility on the Department to draft amendments or to work with the legislator.