Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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20. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will indicate how An Garda Síochána are responding to an apparent increase in vigilantism coordinated through social media which targets minorities; if he can provide information on what new or changed policing approach is being adopted as a result of the novel methods now being employed to undertaken criminal harassment and/or assaults; what data is now being collected on such activity, and how is this being used in support of a policing and security response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54190/25]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's position on vigilante behaviour is simple, there is no place in our society for vigilantism. It cannot and will not be accepted. Individuals or groups who engage in intimidation, assaults or threats, or who purport to take the law into their own hands, will face the full rigour of the law.

Intimidation, assaults, and threats have no place in our society. An Garda Síochána is responsible for operational policing matters and is responsible for investigating any alleged acts of criminality or intimidation. I'm assured that Gardaí investigate the role of relevant online activity in the case of any incidents of criminal behaviour.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that they are acutely aware of the significant volume of misinformation, disinformation and fake news in circulation in relation to public safety.

The actions of certain private groups are a cause for concern for An Garda Síochána and other police services.

There is a range of legislation under which threats and intimidation can be prosecuted, including the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act and our Public Order legislation. For example, a threat to kill or cause serious harm is an offence under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act. A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a class C fine not greater than €2,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both.

The Government is also determined to stamp out hate-motivated crime and protect vulnerable communities. Attacks of such nature - whether physical, verbal, or online - are utterly unacceptable. Everyone has the right to live safely, free from intimidation or abuse regardless of background.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses such behaviour should report it to Gardaí without delay where they will receive support and protection under the law. The Garda Commissioner determines appropriate operational policing strategies and An Garda Síochána monitors activity and engages with social media companies, including seeking the removal of harmful material.

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 is at the heart of a new Online Safety Framework, comprised of the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act, and the EU’s Digital Services Act and Terrorist Content Online Regulation. The Framework gives Coimisiún na Meán the tools to address the root causes of harm online, including the availability of illegal and harmful online content, and inadequate protections for children on relevant online services. In October 2024, Coimisiún na Meán published its first binding online safety code under the OSMR Act. The code brings about greater accountability by setting out actions that video-sharing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram must take to protect users.

Categories restricted under this code includes cyberbullying, and incitement to hatred or violence on a range of grounds including gender, political affiliation, disability, ethnic minority membership, religion and race. Restrictions also include criminal content such as child sex abuse material, terrorism, racism and xenophobia and online content related to certain existing criminal offences, such as those set out in the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020

Social media platforms themselves also have a responsibility to remove harmful content. Under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), An Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, will support the European Commission, as the primary enforcer of regulatory obligations applying to Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines. This includes the obligations on these services to complete risk assessments in relation to the risk of exposure of their users to illegal online content and the risk of their service being manipulated, including to spread disinformation. Once the risks are identified, these services must take mitigation measures to address the risk of user exposure to this content.

Together these measures mark an end of the era of self-regulation for many online services, including social media platforms.