Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

596. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress to date on the implementation of the recommendations in the O'Neill report on Internet content governance; if legislation will be necessary in respect of some of the recommendations; if work has commenced on such legislation; if any interdepartmental group is in place to address these issues, given the concern among citizens regarding matters which caused the advisory group to come into existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40508/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group was presented to Government in June 2014. The Government established a cross-departmental implementation group in July 2014, chaired by my Department and attended by representatives from a number of other Departments, including the Departments of Justice and Equality and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The purpose of this group was to provide a view to Government on how these recommendations might be implemented.

My Department continues to work with the relevant Government Departments involved in this reform and over the coming weeks I will be bringing forward proposals to address some of the key recommendations made in the Report. In addition to structural issues, the question of legislation will be addressed. The Law Reform Commission are presently reviewing a number of related issues in their current Work Programme, and recently conducted a consultation on cyber-crime affecting personal safety, privacy and reputation including cyber-bullying. The Law Reform Commission are expected to present their report to government early in the New Year and I will pursue any legislation deemed appropriate, following the outcome of that review.