Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Minister and her officials for engaging with this issue, which was raised by Members right across the House including ourselves and Government Senators. She will be aware that our amendment No. 40 goes a little bit further in that it specifies some of the areas in which the online safety commissioner could potentially have duties or responsibilities. I know that there will be opportunities to build on this in the Dáil. I imagine some of the discussion on identifying and naming key areas of action for an online safety commissioner may be elaborated upon there. The core thing, which we all made clear in the early parts of the debate, is that the Bill is leaving the Seanad with a firm commitment to and requirement for at least one designated online safety commissioner, although there may potentially be more. I thank the Minister for that. I will be watching with interest to see if some of the potential functions of the commissioner we have signalled in amendment No. 40 are elaborated upon as the Bill moves forward to the Dáil after the recess.

I echo the points made by Senator Malcolm Byrne with regard to resources. There will be budgetary discussions over the summer. I lend our voice to those hoping that the Minister will be given the proper resources to fund these functions properly in order that the commission is able to perform its functions to a really high level right from the get-go in 2023.