Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 179:

In page 82, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(4A) When preparing such codes referred to in subsection (1), the Commission shall have due regard to section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Web Accessibility Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/2102).”.

I will not dwell on amendment No. 179. It is the same point. It is on ensuring that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, the public duty on equality and human rights and the web accessibility directive would be reflected in the preparation of codes.

On amendment No. 180, again, I am not against consultation. I think it is good. However, it is specifying that in the preparation of the codes, the commission would consult. I looked for the record of who it consults with. It has full discretion to consult with whomever it see fits, but there should be a record of it. I suggest it should consult with appropriate persons who have relevant expertise in the areas of human rights because rights are a key component in respect of this area of online safety and digital public participation. These are areas of expertise that would add to the development of online safety codes and should be part of the preparatory process.