Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for an update on the works of Coimisiún na Meán in implementing the online safety code; the number of cases taken in relation to breaches of the code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52010/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Online safety, in particular, protecting children, is a key Government priority. We have established the legislative foundations for Ireland's online safety framework and our online safety and media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, is at the heart of that framework.

An Coimisiún was established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act, which transposed the AudioVisual Media Services Directive. That Act is one of three main elements of the online safety framework. The other two elements are 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.

Under the OSMR Act, in October 2024, An Coimisiún adopted a new Online Safety Code for designated video-sharing platforms established in Ireland, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X. The Code sets out what they must do to protect users. In particular, they are obliged to put measures in place to protect children from harmful content online including providing for parental controls and have transparent reporting and flagging mechanisms.

Part B of the code It contains specific obligations for the platforms to put in place robust age assurance measures to prevent children from accessing adult content such as pornography or extreme violence.

Additionally, as Digital Services Coordinator under the DSA, An Coimisiún works with the European Commission to ensure platforms put in place the systems and processes required to minimise the availability of illegal content. In particular, it works with the European Commission to ensure platforms address the risk of exposure of children and young people to illegal and harmful online content, including by means of age-verification or age-assurance, setting children’s accounts as private by default, adjusting recommender systems and allowing children to block or mute users, for example.

The Online Safety Framework is relatively new and the focus now is on implementation to ensure platforms meet their regulatory obligations. Failure to adequately fulfil these obligations can lead to significant financial sanctions and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management under the OSMR.

Given the independence of the regulator, my Department would not have information on any cases instituted by An Coimisiún. However, it should be noted that Part B of the Code has only applied since 21 July of this year.

In relation to specific information on the work of An Coimisiún there is a dedicated contact point for members of the Oireachtas - oireachtasqueries@cnam.ie - I also understand that An Coimisiún held a briefing in Leinster House yesterday for members of the Oireachtas to update on their work.