Written Answers Nos. 130-149
136. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the second stage of Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund will be announced; if it will include funding for a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68399/25]
View answer145. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is taking to support sport and sports clubs in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4064/26]
View answer146. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has engaged with the Department of Finance in relation to the reduction of VAT for gym and leisure centre memberships, and classes to encourage greater participation numbers across the younger cohort of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4059/26]
View answer148. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount that was spent by his Department in supporting sports clubs and organisations in Cork in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4119/26]
View answer149. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to detail the Department’s engagement with Coimisiún na Meán regarding regulatory enforcement in respect of digital platforms that do not adequately address harmful or misleading content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4055/26]
View answerCoimisiún na Meán was established on commencement of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act in March 2023 and as provided for in Section 10 of that Act, it is independent in the exercise of its functions, which include enforcement of the regulations which comprise Ireland's online safety framework, under which platforms must minimise the availability of inappropriate, harmful or illegal content.
The OSMR Act, along with the EU Digital Services Act 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, are the main elements of Ireland's online safety framework.
2025 saw the full application of Ireland's first Online Safety Code, 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 OSMR Act.
It is for An Coimisiún to decide what steps need to be taken in respect of platform compliance with the online safety framework but it must be noted that under the Digital Services Act, the European Commission is the lead regulator in respect of the largest platforms. An Coimisiún works closely with the European Commission as Ireland's Digital Services Coordinator. For example, in December 2025, An Coimisiún announced that it was commencing an investigation under the Digital Services Act into how the platform X deals with user complaints. The European Commission has also commenced investigations into certain platforms in relation to suspected breaches of the Digital Services Act.
As Minister, I seek and receive regular updates from An Coimisiún on its work and from time to time, as is appropriate, I raise relevant issues with An Coimisiún. Officials in my Department work closely with An Coimisiún as it is a body under the aegis of my Department. However, it is for An Coimisiún to enforce the regulations as an independent regulator.
If the Deputy has specific questions for Coimisiún na Meán, they can be addressed directly by email to oireachtasqueries@cnam.ie
