Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. I wholeheartedly support Senator O'Loughlin's Bill. Catfishing, as we know, is a growing problem in our digital age where individuals create fake online identities to deceive others, often for financial gain, emotional manipulation or even more serious criminal purposes.It is not a frivolous or harmless activity, as we sometimes may think because of the name catfishing. We need to normalise the term "online impersonation" and attach it to criminality. It is insidious and victims can suffer deep emotional trauma, financial loss and long-term psychological effects.

Despite the serious consequences, the current laws are often outdated or do not go far enough to hold the offenders to account. I think that is where Senator O'Loughlin's Bill will step up. We need stronger, clearer legislation to address this issue head on. This includes defining catfishing as a punishable offence, increasing penalties for impersonation and fraud and giving the Garda better tools to investigate and prosecute online deception. It is not about limiting free speech or online anonymity. It is about protecting people from abuse, exploitation and manipulation. By tightening our laws through Bills like this, we send a clear message. As has been said, online deception harms others. It is not just unethical; it is indeed illegal.