Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
215. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of complaints made by her Department to social media or online marketing companies about specific online posts or accounts for each year from 2020 to 2025, and to date in 2026. [48613/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade uses digital platforms to communicate public awareness campaigns, to promote essential services to citizens and to highlight Irish foreign policy positions and values internationally. Our accounts on digital platforms are also utilised, in conjunction with Team Ireland partners, to promote Ireland as a place to trade, invest, visit and study.
The Department has formally engaged with digital platforms on a number of occasions regarding content that the Department viewed as breaching the community guidelines of those platforms.
The Department and its staff currently use a significant number of social media accounts across different platforms and countries in which we have Embassies or Consulates. While the Department does not maintain a register of complaints around specific online posts, HQ engagement with social media companies in recent years has included reporting specific instances of abusive material targeting DFAT officials serving overseas and requesting removal of accounts falsely purporting to be affiliated with the Department.
