Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
338. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to revise harassment legislation here taking into consideration the impact of cyberbullying on the mental health of a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4100/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain concerned at the deeply harmful effects which cyber-bullying can have on persons who experience that or other harmful online behaviours. These experiences can be devastating for those affected.
In recent years, a whole-of-government response was taken to addressing these complex issues, in particular through the Action Plan for Online Safety 2018 - 2019 which identified a range of positive actions to address online safety issues, including cyber-bullying. There has been a general consensus in recent years that the appropriate response to addressing such online issues is one that encompasses educational and awareness raising campaigns, as well as effective actions and policies on the part of internet companies.
In relation to harassment laws specifically, the Law Reform Commission published a report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety in 2016 which recommended a number of legislative changes in order to deal more effectively with the negative aspects of increased use of online communications.
Many of the recommendations outlined in this report were provided for in a Private Members Bill sponsored by Deputy Brendan Howlin - the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017.
In May of last year, the Government approved the approach to be taken and, in order to ensure that legislation in this area would be enacted as swiftly as possible, agreed to adopt and amend that Bill. My Department then began a close engagement with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to draft amendments to the Bill, to ensure consistency in its provisions and significantly strengthen the law in this area including through the proposed creation of a number of new offences. The amendments would also have removed some of the civil provisions in the Bill that might be more appropriately dealt with through proposals to establish the Office of the Digital Safety Commissioner, which was being progressed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
I expect these matters will be reintroduced but that is a matter for the incoming Government to decide.
