Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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52. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to report on the progress to date in the development of the national counter disinformation strategy; when she expects this strategy to be published; if she will report on the meetings of the national counter disinformation strategy working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24425/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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It is intended that the National Counter Disinformation Strategy will be published shortly.

The development of this national strategy was a recommendation of the Future of Media Commission, which called for a more coordinated and strategic approach to combat the damaging impact of disinformation on Irish society and democracy.

The Working Group tasked with developing the Strategy was established in February 2023. It is independently chaired and comprises representatives from Government Departments, public bodies, industry, academia and civil society, with coordination being provided by my Department.

The Working Group has met monthly since its establishment and has heard from a range of experts in different fields related to disinformation. Three subgroups examined and reported on key issues relating to disinformation, namely: existing countermeasures, the current and emerging regulatory environment and the support of free independent high-quality journalism and the protection of public interest information.

The Working Group held an online public consultation process that ran from 25 September to 20 October 2023. In addition, a stakeholder consultation event was held on 29 November 2023. Drafting of the Strategy is now at an advanced stage with a view to its finalisation in Q2 2024.

Minutes of all meetings along with published reports from subgroups and consultations are available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/04f9e-national-counter-disinformation-strategy-working-group/.