Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Minister. This is an important day. As we have said before, this legislation is probably among the most important that will go through these Houses during our time in the Houses of the Oireachtas.It supports all forms of local media. Our independent newspapers and media will in the main be happy that we have fought the case for them with regard to supports. Ultimately, it is about protecting young children and online safety, which is extremely important.

I commend the Minister on the amount of time she gave to this when we went through Committee Stage in the Seanad. I think we had 27 hours of discussion on amendments. They was no guillotine and every item was discussed. The same happened in the Dáil, which was important. I thank the Minister, staff and Department for all the work put into the Bill.

The number one priority is to protect our children. As a parent of young kids coming to an age with technology, we need it put in place. I tabled an amendment regarding minimum ages for social media companies. I know that is being looked at at EU level. I ask that it be expedited. Should the EU not come back with a proposal on that, we should look at it. We need to protect our young kids from the harm that is on social media. The Bill will go a significant way towards that. I believe this is probably the most important Bill we will deal with during what is, please God, our first term.