Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
267. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the key measures taken to enhance online safety during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73136/25]
View answerAt the outset, it is important to say that significant progress has been made in improving online safety in Ireland. 2025 has seen the full application of Ireland's first online safety code, an integral part of Ireland's online safety framework, which is implemented by Coimisiún na Meán. The code obliges designated video-sharing platform services to take measures to protect children online, including, under Part B, the obligation to implement robust age assurance measures to ensure children do not normally see adult-only content, like pornography.
A failure to adequately fulfil obligations under the framework can lead to significant financial sanctions and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act. Over the past few weeks, Coimisiún na Meán commenced investigations into certain platforms for suspected breaches of their regulatory obligations and under the Digital Services Act, the European Commission issued a fine of €120 million to the platform X for failures to fulfil its obligations.
Nothwithstanding this progress, I continue to work across Government and with all stakeholders to ensure children and young people can be safe from harmful or illegal content online. In particular, I want to progress robust age verification. It is a vital part of the picture in terms of providing real assurance that children are the age they claim to be and to ensure they are not exposed to harmful or illegal content. I am seeking the inclusion of a commitment to this effect in the Government’s updated National Digital Strategy which will be published shortly.
In addressing age verification, we must seek to ensure that there are trustworthy systems in place that are interoperable and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. To that end, my officials are continuing to work with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his Office to look at practical technical solutions to age verification as part of the Government's Digital Wallet being developed using MyGovID.
In addition, right across Europe, Member States are examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”. Ireland is also considering its position on this matter but I believe that any decision would be better taken at EU level.
I plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union next year. In this context, the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which is the basis for Ireland's Online Safety Code, will be evaluated over the coming year. Further measures are likely to be proposed at European level during Ireland's Presidency, and Ireland will work with all stakeholders to ensure that additional legislative proposals are robust in addressing harms posed to children online.
I will continue to work with all stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to ensure robust safety measures, including robust age verification, are in place to protect children and young people from inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content.
