Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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590. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide an update on social media disinformation and combatting it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47681/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The National Counter Disinformation Strategy (NCDS) was published on 17 April 2025. It was developed on foot of recommendation 8.8 of the Future of Media Commission which called for coordinated and strategic action to combat the damaging impact of disinformation on Irish society. The Strategy sets out 9 commitments and 36 actions to help counter the problem.

The importance of public communications and trust in public institutions is acknowledged, as well as a commitment to promote trust in the media and support media pluralism and media freedom. The need to adopt a lifelong approach to empowering all citizens with media literacy is also set out, with training, awareness and public library and literacy strategies identified as key actions. The Strategy also highlights the importance of fact-checking and pre-bunking expertise in Irish media with actions to support its growth. The Strategy also acknowledges the need to build knowledge of effective counter disinformation strategies by supporting collaborative research.

The vital role of effective implementation of legislation and regulation is clearly acknowledged with actions relating to the Digital Services Act, the General Data Protection Regulation and the European Media Freedom Act. The development of a coordinated approach to effectively counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference – also known as FIMI - is identified as an action along with the need to support and engage with international initiatives to counter disinformation and promote information integrity.

In terms of oversight of implementation, my Department chairs a steering committee which will be supported by a broader Coordination Group. The Steering Committee comprises representatives of the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Education, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) Ireland, Media Literacy Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman.

The Steering Committee has met on two occasions, and it is envisaged that the Coordination Group will meet before the end of this month. Terms of reference and an implementation plan are being finalised and will be published shortly.