Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1028. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if creating the office of the digital safety commissioner as recommended by the Law Reform Commission has been costed. [35439/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Law Reform Commission Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety, published in 2016 recommended, inter alia, the establishment of an Office of the Digital Safety Commissioner of Ireland.
As the Deputy is aware, in February the Government did not oppose the passage at second stage of a Private Members Bill by Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire which seeks to establish an Office of the Digital Safety Commissioner. This Bill, the Digital Safety Commissioner Bill 2017, has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment by the Oireachtas.
The Action Plan for Online Safety was launched by the Taoiseach on 11 July and contains 25 actions to be implemented by the six sponsor Departments over the next 12-18 months. These actions cover a range of activities relevant to the proposed Office of the Digital Safety Commissioner, including education and awareness raising, communicating with the public, and oversight and consultative structures. Action 18 of the plan commits the Government to working with the Joint Oireachtas Committee in relation to Deputy Ó Laoghaire's Bill.
The Bill raises jurisdictional and legal issues which will impact on the mandate, structure and costs of the proposed Office of the Digital Safety Commissioner. In advance of these issues being determined by the Oireachtas, it would not be feasible to set out costings. However, the Government will work with the Committee as it considers these matters in the context of its post Second Stage scrutiny.
