Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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249. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement he has had with large social media companies since he took office on the topic of their ability to monitor online hatred and discrimination and creating safe online communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34943/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Online safety is a Government priority, especially as it relates to children. Ensuring children do not see illegal, harmful or inappropriate content while being able to avail of all the benefits of the online world is vital for children’s development.

It was in that context that I met with social media platforms over the course of last week. They updated me on the measures they are taking to protect children and young people online.

I highlighted my focus on protecting children from harmful online content. I emphasised how important robust age verification is to ensuring online safety for children and young people.

It is important to note the progress we have made in online safety in recent years. Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s online safety and media regulator, was established in March 2023 and is at the heart of Ireland’s online safety framework. The framework comprises the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act, under which An Coimisiún adopted and applied Ireland’s first online safety code, 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.

I am committed to working across Government and with all stakeholders to ensure that all of us, especially children and young people, can enjoy the benefits of being increased connectivity while being safe from harmful or illegal content online.