Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is extremely important legislation. It is probably some of the most important legislation that we will debate in this House because of the far-reaching effects it will have on people’s lives. With that, I would like to thank the Minister for coming in today. It just shows how important this piece of work is, that the Minister is here with us. I commend the manner in which she is running her Department and dealing with issues.

Given that Internet companies are unable to regulate themselves and have clearly failed to do so, it is time that a country stood up and regulated the tech companies. That is what we are trying to achieve in this Bill.

The Acting Chair, Senator Cassells, worked in local media for many years. In those days, there was integrity, decency and a sense of responsibility. All of that has, unfortunately, gone out the window when it comes to social media. There are absolutely good elements to social media. Many people have connected in and through social media in a way that would have only been dreamt of ten, 20 or 30 years ago. It is extremely important when it comes to issues such as crowdfunding, GoFundMe, raising awareness on issues, running campaigns and so on.

However, there is a dirty, rotten side to it. That dirty, rotten side is where the fake news, terrorists and people who want to humiliate, bully, harass and intimidate have a forum behind a keyboard where they can do it with anonymity and get away with it. They have been allowed to get away with it by the big tech companies that are more interested in their billions than in regulating the industry. Therefore, I welcome this Bill. It is a wonderful piece of work. I want to commend the Oireachtas committee on the work it has done because that work has gone on over a protracted period.

When one opens a bank account, one has to have forms of identification. One has to have a passport, a driver’s licence and so on. I often wonder why somebody is allowed to open a social media account without verifiable proof as to their identity and a traceability that if it is abused and used for wrongful purposes, it could be traced and linked back to somebody.When someone buys a mobile phone and opens an account, he or she has to go through those processes. Unfortunately, that does not happen with disposable mobile phones, although I think it should. If somebody wishes to open a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media account, there should be a verifiable, four- or five-step process. Technology is wonderful, so why can it not do that? It is because the companies do not want to do it. If somebody under the age of 18 wishes to open an account, his or her parents should have to provide multiple forms of identification and take responsibility for the account. Of course, this does not suit the tech companies.

I am happy our country is taking a lead on this. We have taken a lead on many different issues over the years. Given some of the social change this country has led, with the support of popular referendums, we can do it. This legislation is another example of us standing up to the world and saying this is not right. Our small country is going to change it, and when that happens, others will follow. I wish the legislation well. I am glad there was a productive, meaningful and wholehearted engagement on it during this debate. I look forward to it being refined and improved and I wish the Minister well with it. It is probably one of the most important items of legislation she will bring through during this term of Government. We cannot forget about local media and the challenges it faces in trying to embrace social media because there is no money in it for local media. That is why we need a root-and-branch review of the entire licensing system, with the introduction of a household media charge, because that will bring in more money and ensure we can resource public service broadcasting, not just at national level but at local level as well.