Eoin Hayes (Dublin Bay South, Social Democrats)
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354. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the plans there are for improving national social media regulation in the context of the dismantling of policy teams within technology companies and the rise of foreign interference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27705/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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There is now a significant body of legislation providing the foundation for Ireland’s online safety framework, including the regulation of social media.

Coimisiún na Meán, as Ireland’s new online safety and media regulator, is at the heart of that framework. It was established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act, which transposed the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, and provides that An Coimisiún is independent in the exercise of its functions. The OSMR Act along with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), under which An Coimisiún is Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, and the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation for which An Coimisiún is a competent authority, are the main elements of Ireland's online safety framework.

In October 2024, as provided for under the OSMR Act, An Coimisiún adopted Ireland's first online safety code. Part A, which has applied since November 2024, provides that designated services must protect the general public from harmful online content and operate age verification systems with respect to content which may impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors. Part B, which will apply from July 2025, contains specific obligations for designated services to prohibit the uploading or sharing of harmful content that is incitement to hatred or violence, terrorism, child sex abuse material, racism and xenophobia as well as to use age assurance to prevent children from encountering pornography or gratuitous violence online and provide parental controls.

Under the framework, it is for the regulated platforms to demonstrate that they have the correct safety measures in place to prevent illegal or harmful content being shown. A failure to adequately address these requirements can lead to significant financial sanctions and, under the OSMR Act, continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management.

This framework is derived from EU legislation. Along with other relevant Departments, my Department continues to engage at EU level on these matters. For example, my Department is engaging with the European Commission and other EU Member States on the upcoming review of the Audio Visual Media Services Directive. All of the elements of the online safety framework are relatively new and the focus now is on implementation to ensure services meet their regulatory obligations.

The challenge of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) is recognised in the recently published National Counter Disinformation Strategy. Combatting FIMI requires strong coordination not just between national actors, but also with international partners. In Ireland, this coordinated national approach will be elaborated on in the upcoming National Security Strategy, to be led by the Department of the Taoiseach.