Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
278. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if in the context of Irelands European Union Presidency more can be done to counteract campaigns of disinformation particularly in matters relating to the war in Ukraine and the plight of Palestinian citizens; if Ireland will do more to influence the social media platforms not least those headquartered in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40191/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt EU level, Ireland works together with our EU counterparts to counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Information (FIMI) and disinformation, which can form part of wider hybrid threats and campaign. This includes through implementation of the EU’s Hybrid, Cyber and FIMI Toolboxes. Together, these provide a suite of measures to be better able to identify, deter, mitigate, and respond to disinformation and interference campaigns, including through the imposition of restrictive measures where appropriate.
Responding to the threat of hybrid activity is a priority for Government and for our EU partners. During our EU Presidency, we will seek to assist the EU in navigating our complex and evolving threat environment and work to progress the EU agenda on countering hybrid threats.
Nationally, disinformation is a serious challenge, which must be met with a whole-of-society response. Our National Counter Disinformation Strategy, published in 2025, sets out commitments and actions to help counter this complex problem.
It is a rights-based strategy with 9 commitments and 36 supporting actions. It highlights the importance of strengthening people's resilience to disinformation, implementing and enforcing regulations, coordination and collaboration between stakeholders, promoting high-quality journalism and media plurality and conducting research in countering disinformation.
Implementation is monitored by a Steering Committee chaired by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport (D/CCS), supported by a broader multistakeholder Coordination Group.
D/CCS allocated €1.1million in Budget 2026 to support implementation of the strategy, focussed on media literacy, fact checking expertise and research. Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s independent online safety and media regulator, has and is developing schemes for media literacy and fact checking. A scheme to support research was recently launched by the Royal Irish Academy in partnership with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
In terms of regulation, the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) calls for an independent regulator in each Member State to require platforms put in place the systems and processes that reduce the availability of harmful online content, like disinformation. In Ireland, that regulator is Coimisiún na Meán. Platforms are required to carry out risk assessments and take measures to reduce the overall availability and amplification of disinformation, in line with Articles 34 and 35 of the DSA, and the EU Code of Conduct on Disinformation. It’s important to note that under the DSA, the European Commission is the lead regulator for very large online platforms and search engines.
The EU Code of Conduct on Disinformation, within the framework of the DSA, has been in place since July 2025 and focusses on transparency, accountability, and collaboration among stakeholders.
If users of online services see harmful content, or content that is against the terms and conditions of that platform, they should report that content to the platform where they saw it. If the platform fails to act on the content, the user can report this to Coimisiún na Meán. Under the DSA, An Coimisiún can accredit Trusted Flaggers who will have the ability to report content to platforms and who will have their reports given priority, processed and decided upon without undue delay.
