Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
180. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the action he has taken in respect of each of the recommendations relevant to his Department made by the Law Reform Commission’s Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety. [24116/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recommendations contained in the Law Reform Commission's report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety, which was published in 2016 can be divided into two parts. The first part concerns the reform of criminal law to provide for a range of new offences including "revenge porn", "upskirting" and "downblousing". My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality is preparing legislation to address this aspect of the LRC report.
The second part of the report concerns the establishment of an Office of a Digital Safety Commissioner. As the Deputy is aware, the Government did not oppose the Private Members' Bill introduced by Deputy Ó Laoghaire in February of this year, which sought to establish such an Office. The Dáil referred that Bill to the Select Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment for further consideration.
Earlier this year, I hosted an Open Policy Debate on Online Safety which was organised in cooperation with six other Government Departments. In opening that event, the Taoiseach announced that it was Government's intention to publish an action plan on Online Safety. My Department, along with all other Departments involved in the organisation of the Open Policy Debate are actively involved in the preparation of that plan.
