Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

With regard to amendment No. 163, as I said, there is provision in section 139K of the 2009 Act specifically in respect of providers of video-sharing platform services. We know the coimisiún shall make online safety codes requiring those providers to comply with Article 9(1) of the revised directive, which has an extensive list of requirements, including the protections for children.

With regard to amendment No. 164, as I said, it really is a complex issue. I agree with the intent of the Senators' amendment but I do not believe it hits on a workable solution. As I said, there are active moves at the EU to identify practical solutions to these matters. In addition to this, last week, the European Commission proposed a new regulation on combating child sexual abuse. As part of this, the Commission foresees an obligation for certain online services to conduct risk assessments and take risk mitigation measures in respect of age verification. Therefore, work is being done in that regard but I do not think this is a workable solution in this amendment.