Communications Committee, Minister Bruton to discuss Digital Safety Commissioner Bill

The meeting at 2 p.m. in Committee Room 1 can be viewed live here and on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.

This will be Minister Bruton’s first appearance before the Committee since his appointment last week to the Communications, Climate Action and Environment portfolio.

The Digital Safety Commissioner Bill 2017 is sponsored by Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, who also will speak at the meeting.

The bill would establish an office of Digital Safety Commissioner with powers to oversee and regulate activities on social media and other online platforms based in Ireland, including the ability to order the removal of harmful content. The Commissioner would promote a culture of digital safety and enforce a code of practice for moderating and removing harmful material.

“Many of the world’s social media giants have their European operations based in Ireland. This places our nation in a position of special responsibility. We must do all we reasonably can to ensure that these multinational companies identify and remove harmful content appearing on their platforms,” said Committee Chair Hildegarde Naughton TD.

“The Committee already has examined cases where social media companies have fallen short in meeting their own standards on preventing abusive and dehumanising material from being distributed virally worldwide,” Deputy Naughton said. “Members are motivated to explore the potential value of creating a new office dedicated to promoting digital safety.”