Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

216. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on recent commentary by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of the lack of regulation among some social media platforms; the measures he plans to implement to deal with such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26353/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, I have certain responsibilities in relation to the broadcast media in Ireland as provided for in the Broadcasting Act 2009. I have no specific statutory responsibility for print media.

The Deputy will be aware that there are a number of pieces of legislation and regulations currently in place which social media platforms must comply with, such as those governing Data Protection or illegal content such as child sexual abuse material.

In relation to harmful content, which is not illegal, the policy responsibility is shared across a number of Departments but primarily the Departments of Justice & Equality, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills, Health and my own Department.

The Law Reform Commission's Harmful Communications and Digital Safety report, which was published in September 2016 recommended the reform of Criminal law to include a number of new offences including online harassment. In December 2016, the Minister for Justice and Equality received Government approval to draft the heads of a Bill, along the lines of the draft legislation contained in the LRC's report.

Separate to the reform of Criminal Law, the Law Reform Commission also recommended that an independent office of a Digital Safety Commissioner be established to promote safety online and oversee efficient take-down procedures to ensure that harmful communications be removed as quickly as possible.

I have indicated that I will discuss this recommendation with my colleagues, the Minister for Justice & Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and the matter has also been referred by Government to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Sector Reform.

Finally, I should mention that it is expected that my Department will begin work next year on transposing the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive into Irish law once that Directive has been adopted.  The draft Directive, which is now entering trilogue discussions between Council, Parliament and the Commission, will introduce a requirement for Video Sharing Platform Services to put in place appropriate measures to ensure that users, especially minors, are protected from certain types of harmful content, including hate speech and content which incites terrorism.