Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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31. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the social media policy of his Department. [29116/19]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It is important to communicate across a variety of platforms, including social media, to ensure transparency and clarity for all citizens. The Government Information Service is now required to provide a 24/7 service to media organizations, on all topics of public interest, and with short response times.The social media channels for my Department are Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

The central objective for these channels is to report objectively the work of Government and, over time, to provide a valuable archive of information. The social media activity in the Department is governed by strict operating principles.

The following are the main operating principles governing the use of these social media channels:

that the content consists of

·News stories and press releases

·Speeches and statements from the Taoiseach and Government Ministers

·Photos and videos from Government events and the Taoiseach's engagements

·Live tweeting of Government events, and

·Other content as deemed appropriate

The use of social media platforms is not intended as a means of contacting the Taoiseach directly or of submitting press queries. These activities are handled by other means. Following or retweeting another account does not imply an endorsement of any kind.

All staff in my Department who update social media channels are bound by the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.