Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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374. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking to address rates of online abuse targeted at LGBTQ+ people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13715/23]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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392. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking to the online trolling and other online abuse targeted at LGBTQ+ young people. [13691/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 392 together.

The Online Safety and Media Regulation Act was commenced on 15 March 2023 and marks the formal establishment of a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. The Act provides for a regulatory framework for online safety and an Coimisiún will enforce that framework, primarily through the making of binding online safety codes by an Online Safety Commissioner within An Coimisiún.

While it will remain the role of An Garda Síochána to investigate suspected criminal activities by individuals, the online safety codes will require designated online services to take measures to tackle the availability of defined categories of harmful online content. This includes online content linked to 42 listed offences, such as offences in relation to harassment and abusive messaging under Coco’s Law (the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020) and incitement to hatred under the Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989.

In light of the impact that certain kinds of harmful online content has on LGBTI+ people, particularly young people, this legislation and the establishment of An Coimisiún are important steps forward in safeguarding these communities.

My Department is engaging with the Department of Justice to ensure that any forthcoming changes in criminal law in relation to incitement to hatred are reflected in the regulatory framework for online safety.

Coimisiún na Meán has a suite of enforcement powers available to it, including the power to seek the imposition of financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover for contraventions of online safety codes.