Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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348. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding any regulatory restrictions in place related to advertising on digital platforms; the role Coimisiún na Meán has on advertising on these platforms including advertisements coming from outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49639/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In Ireland, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, which is under the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Advertising Standards Authority, are the main bodies involved in the regulation of advertising.

Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland's online safety and media regulator. It is independent in the exercise of its functions. It is not a general advertising regulator and does not regulate advertisers directly.

In October 2024, Coimisiún na Meán adopted Ireland's first online safety code. The code applies to designated video-sharing platform services established in the State. The code sets out a range of obligations for designated platforms to minimise the availability of harmful online content.

The code also requires that audio-visual commercial communications displayed on a designated platform, irrespective of their origin, are readily recognisable as such and that they not include content that is harmful to the general public, in particular children.

Coimisiún na Meán has powers to enforce obligations under the online safety code on designated platforms, including the power to impose significant financial sanctions or in cases of continued non-compliance, lead to criminal sanctions for senior management.