Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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357. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the statement by Facebook that Neknomination material is not in breach of its rules; his planned actions in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6630/14]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have noted Facebook's position on compliance in respect of its own editorial guidelines.

There is no doubt but that the pervasive use of social media has challenged a wide number of previously accepted norms, both in terms of media governance and in more general societal terms. To that end, I have asked the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group which I formed in December, to evaluate the full range of content issues that now arise online. This group will report in May and Government will consider that report in great detail. A public consultation is now open, and submissions from all interested parties are welcome. I am aware also that the Group expect to meet with all key stakeholders as part of their work in the coming weeks.

The issues here are complex and delicate; a balance has to be struck between preserving freedom of speech and freedom of expression online, and protecting children and young people in particular from content that may well be age inappropriate or harmful. Social media and online content in general are not subject to the same types of editorial restrictions as broadcast media, for example, and questions as to the most appropriate governance model are being asked by governments and civil society groups around the world. There are no simple answers to these questions but I am confident that the Group will evaluate all of these issues thoroughly and in detail, and I look forward to their report and recommendations with great interest.

Although there has been significant media commentary around the way the phenomenon referenced by the Deputy has been propagated, the key issue here is our underlying attitude towards alcohol in this country.

This Government has been very clear about its commitment to deal with these patterns of alcohol misuse in Irish society and the widespread harm it causes. The issues are multifaceted, and a coordinated approach is in place across a number of Government Departments.

Last October the Government approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse based on the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy, which was published by the Department of Health in February 2012. These measures are being delivered and include a minimum price for alcohol and a number of new restrictions on how alcohol is advertised, and particularly how it is advertised to children and young people.