Communications Committee to commence public hearings on Social Media

5 March 2013

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte, along with Officials from the Office for Internet Safety, will address the Committee tomorrow. On Thursday, the Committee will hear from representatives of Facebook and Twitter.

Chairman of the Committee Tom Hayes TD says: \"Social media outlets are changing the way many of our citizens interact with one another. Our Committee will tomorrow morning commences its hearings on challenges facing individuals, families and communities from the rise of social media, including the challenges posed by cyber-bullying and online harassment.

“We start this consultation with open minds.  Over four meetings, we plan to explore how the irresponsible use of social media channels might be curbed. We look forward to hearing the perspective of Minister Rabbitte as we commence our discussions. We will also hear a presentation by the Office for Internet Safety, who play a key role in coordinating the State's approach to internet safety. On Thursday, we are scheduled to hear from representatives of Facebook and Twitter.

“The Committee has also launched a public consultation on social media. Citizens can make their contribution via www.oireachtas.ie and we thank all those individuals and groups who have taken the time to make a contribution so far. We expect that the submissions received will inform a Committee Report, which will contain recommendations in this complex and fast-changing area.”

The meeting commences tomorrow 6 March at 9:30 am, with public session anticipated to commence at 10 am in Committee Room 3, LH 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed live here.

The remaining three public hearings are scheduled as follows:

• Thursday, 7 March, 10 am: Representatives from Facebook and Twitter
• Wednesday, 13 March, 9:30 am: Representatives from the National Anti-Bullying Coalition
• Wednesday, 20 March, 9:30 am: Representatives from YouTube

Have your say: View more on the Committee's public consultation and make a submission: bit.ly/13gptE7

For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353  87 694 9926
Terms of Reference for Discussions on Social Media
1.    To provide a forum for debate on the challenges facing individuals, families and communities from the rise of social media, including the challenges posed by cyber-bullying and online harassment
2.    To receive a Ministerial perspective and an official overview of the measures in place, including legislative measures, to meet the challenges posed by social media
3.    To receive the views of the primary social media networks, i.e. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
4.    To allow a time period for public consultation and for the receipt of submissions on this topic

Committee Membership

Deputies
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
 Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
 Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
 Tom Fleming, Independent
 Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
 Tom Hayes, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Seán Kenny, Labour
Eamonn Moloney, Labour
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fáil
 Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
 John O’Mahony, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
 Ann Phelan, Labour
 Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
 
Senators
 Terry Brennan
 Sean D. Barrett
 Eamonn Coghlan
 Paschal Mooney
 Ned O’Sullivan
 John Whelan