Written answers

Thursday, 30 January 2014

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Internet Safety

Photo of Michael ColreavyMichael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the outcome of the first meeting of the Internet Content Advisory Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4296/14]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I established the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group late last year with a view to providing expert advice on a number of issues relating to online content and commentary. This Group met for the first time on 18th December 2013, and has met on two subsequent occasions since.

At it's first meeting the Group agreed to an ambitious and detailed Terms of Reference which requires them to make recommendations across three defined areas, namely whether existing national regulatory and legislative frameworks around online governance remain relevant, whether other existing policy responses by the State remain sufficient and finally what the "most appropriate relationship should be between ISPs, online service providers, the State and citizens in relation to internet content that may be age-inappropriate and to bullying and harassment online." In making these recommendations, the Group has been asked to have regard to a range of factors, including the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee titled ‘Addressing the Growth of Social Media and tackling Cyberbullying’.

The Group launched a public consultation on Friday 24th of January aimed at engaging key stakeholders, including parents and young people on issues of internet content governance. The consulation focuses on regulation, governance and internet safety; bullying and harassment; and accessing age inappropriate content. It is the intention of the Group to use the outcome of this public consultation to inform their report which they will submit to me by the end of May.

I look forward to the receiving the report which I will bring it to the attention of the Joint Oireachtas Committee and would be happy to discuss the outcome with them also.

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