Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 December 2016
65. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor incidents of cyberbullying; the procedures in place to detect and deter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40412/16]
View answerIt is not feasible to regulate or monitor the internet in anticipation of possible incidents such as cyberbullying. However, if a member of the public becomes aware of activity on the internet which they suspect may be illegal, they can report it confidentially to Hotline.ie. which is operated by the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland with oversight by the Office for Internet Safety (OIS) in my Department. The Hotline liaises with the Gardaí as appropriate.
The OIS, an Executive Office in my Department, has a dedicated website, www.internetsafety.ie. It contains links to a wide range of resources on internet safety.
In September 2016 the Law Reform Commission published its Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety. The Commission noted that we live in a “truly interconnected digital and online world” and it noted the positive benefits to society as well as the negative aspects of this, and the emerging trends to engage in online communications that cause significant harm to others.
It is my intention to bring proposals to Government in relation to the criminal law aspects of the Law Reform Commission's Report very shortly.
