Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
56. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on her meeting request with a social media company (details supplied) regarding its role in monitoring online content following the recent riots in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55093/23]
View answerRecent events which took place in our capital city serve to highlight the threat posed by violent political extremism. Messages of hate spread online resulted in physical violence on our city streets.
It is clear that social media companies have an important responsibility to resource and operate robust systems of detection including the timely removal of harmful content.
I can assure the Deputy that countering the threat posed by extremism is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and for me and my Department. Our strategy to deal with extremism is part of a whole of Government response to countering radicalisation to extremist ideologies, along with liaison with An Garda Síochána.
I and my Department are fully engaged with our EU partners through the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN), to develop our understanding of the evolution of the threat posed by extreme right wing actors with a view to putting in place appropriate measures to counter the threat. My Department is also responsible for policy in relation to illegal online content, including the implementation of the Terrorist Content Online Regulation, and policy on online extremism, including in respect of right wing extremists.
The law is kept under review and the Deputy will be familiar with the provisions of the new Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill, which I am currently bringing through the Oireachtas. This will criminalise the dissemination of exactly the kind of hate speech, offline and online, which often informs or encourages violent extremism.
The Garda Commissioner determines appropriate operational policing strategies and An Garda Síochána monitors activity and engages with social media companies in an effort to counter disinformation and misinformation, including seeking the removal of harmful material.
As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has introduced the Online Services and Media Regulation Act and established Coimisiún na Meán, to regulate online media, including enforcing rules about how online services or platforms should deal with harmful and illegal content on their services. Minister Martin is also overseeing the process to develop a National Counter Disinformation Strategy which will be published in 2024.
I understand that Coimisiún na Meán held meetings with platforms in the days following the disturbances together with the European Commission to get more information on how media companies responded to the incidents that unfolded online and offline. I echo their call to all platforms based in Ireland to limit the spread of such content and look forward to engaging further with the companies in relation to this important issue.
