Press Release post-Online Safety meeting with Stakeholders

The Taoiseach Simon Harris hosted a group of stakeholders at Government Buildings today, with relevant Ministers, to hear a broad range of perspectives on Online Safety, as part of ongoing developments in this space.

This meeting follows from an earlier Online Safety Summit, where the Taoiseach and Ministers met with Digital Regulators and An Garda Síochána, to ensure a collective focus on Online Safety across the public system.

Coimisiún na Meán adopted an Online Safety Code earlier this week, an important milestone in addressing illegal and harmful online content and behaviour. This, coupled with the EU Digital Services Act, and EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation means that regulators now have a range of significant tools to address harms arising from today's digital world.

Speaking after the meeting, the Taoiseach said:

"Today's meeting was an opportunity to hear valuable feedback from stakeholders with expertise in Online Safety, including as regards impacts on children and young people, who we know are particularly vulnerable to online harms.

"This is a priority of mine, and of the Government's. There is a significant amount of work ongoing, and implementation of these ground-breaking new digital regulations is now the priority focus across the system. The Government is fully committed to resourcing and supporting this important work, while listening carefully to feedback from, and working in partnership, with stakeholders.

"As part of this, I am committed to ensuring that our communications raise awareness among the public of their rights, and the obligations on online platforms, under this new Online Safety Framework.

The views we heard today are an important input and will be considered as we progress this critical work and respond to new and emerging challenges."

Minister Martin said:

"Earlier this week, I welcomed the adoption of Coimisiún na Meán's new Online Safety Code. This is a major step forward in making our online world safer, in particular for our children.

"Our Online Safety Framework gives An Coimisiún the power to address the root causes of harm online, including the availability of illegal material, harmful content such as cyberbullying and inadequate protections for children in relation to online pornography.

"Today's meeting with Stakeholders was informative and useful, and I look forward to continued engagement with relevant Stakeholders as we progress work in this important area."

Note:

Stakeholders in attendance included:

Martina Chapman, Chair of the Disinformation Working Group; Jillian van Turnhout, Chair of the Online Health Taskforce; Ombudsman for Children's Office; Children's Rights Alliance; CyberSafeKids; National Parents' Council (Primary); ISPCC; ICCL; Gen Free Campaign; Jane Suiter (DCU); Brian O'Neill; Elizabeth Farries (UCD).