Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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509. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the creation of a digital safety commissioner will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14046/18]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The Deputy will be aware that on Thursday 22 February 2018 the Government did not oppose a Private Members Bill introduced by Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire which sought to establish an office of a Digital Safety Commissioner. While many of the objectives of Deputy Ó Laoghaire's Bill are laudable, some of the proposed functions of the Office as set out in the Bill raise serious legal and jurisdictional issues.

On 21 November 2017, I convened a meeting with my colleagues the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to progress the subject of digital safety for all citizens, especially children. It was agreed at that meeting that an Open Policy Debate would be the most appropriate way to progress the issue and ensure a coherent cross departmental Government approach. 

On 8 March 2018, I hosted this debate at the Royal Hospital Kilmainhan which was opened by An Taoiseach. Over 120 representatives from a range of stakeholders participated, including NGOs, industry, parents' groups and young people. The event was supported by five other Ministers and organised in conjunction with the Department of Justice and Equality; Education and Skills; Health; Business Enterprise and Innovation; Children and Youth Affairs.

An Taoiseach announced that the Government would, by June of this year, prepare an action plan on online safety. My Department will actively contribute to the preparation of that plan, and a report on the Open Policy Debate will form one of the inputs to the plan.