Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is always good as a Mayo person to welcome Galway people to anywhere, except MacHale Park.

I want to say to in advance that I am not going to be accepting any amendments today. However, I thank the Civil Engagement Group members for their engagement with the Bill. It might be useful, and I can set this meeting up, for them to meet the officials to get a full understanding of how we have come to this Bill. We can set this up in the next week ahead of the preparation of regulations which will follow. I just wanted to put that on the record of the House.

Section 3 provides for the ability to prescribe regulations in respect of the functioning of the Bill. Section 3 is necessary to ensure that where issues arise in terms of the effectiveness or efficiency of the implementation of the digital services regulation by Coimisiún na Meán or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Minister can respond quickly to introduce necessary procedural reforms. For example, some of the procedural steps set out in the Digital Services Bill may require revision, depending on how the European board for digital services engages with digital service co-ordinators of establishment in practice with regard to cross-border collaboration activities and joint investigations. This will become fully clear after the board is formed and only then, but if revisions of procedure are required, the Minister of the day will need to be able to introduce the necessary reforms in a timely manner.

Section 3 is, however, not intended to facilitate any policy change, and all such regulations would be laid before each House of the Oireachtas, including the Seanad, within 21 days. This approach provides the Oireachtas, including the Seanad, with full and effective oversight. It is the standard approach in such legislation.