Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 June 2014
92. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 438 and 439 of 13 May 2014, if his reply, which raises very serious questions for the use of social media by all State bodies, is supported by legal opinion. [24815/14]
View answerI am advised that in accordance with the manner in which social media works, Inland Fisheries Ireland or indeed any public body is not in a position to edit or control the content of external Facebook pages and cannot take responsibility for the content of private social media pages. The Deputy’s concern regarding “the use of social media by all State bodies” has a far wider context than IFI. Comments and images posted by individuals on their own social media sites and linked to the site of any public body do not necessarily represent the views of that Public Body.
IFI, in common with other Public Bodies, issues a standard disclaimer to the effect that “external, non-IFI links on this site do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the IFI”’
I am also advised that IFI are in the process of reviewing a number of operational policies, including its policy on social media, and, if appropriate, legal input may be sought, as part of this review.
