Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2017
615. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will implement the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission on the dissemination of abusive material on social media sites and online abuse; if he proposes to appoint a digital safety commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7417/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Law Reform Commission Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety, which was published in September 2016, recommends the reform of Criminal Law in relation to a number of issues that arise in the context of society’s growing use of online communications, include the posting of online intimate images without consent, cyber-bullying, online harassment and stalking, and new types of voyeurism.
In December, the Minister for Justice and Equality announced that her Department would draft the heads of a Bill aimed at dealing with these issues, along the lines of the draft legislation contained in the LRC's report.
The report also proposes the establishment of a Digital Safety Commissioner to promote digital safety and oversee efficient take-down procedures to ensure that harmful communications can be removed as quickly as possible from social media sites.
In this regard, I intend to meet with my colleagues, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, to progress the Report's proposal to establish a Digital Safety Commissioner.
