Press release
Press Release following Online Safety Summit
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
Taoiseach Simon Harris today chaired an Online Safety Summit, to ensure a collective focus across government on our overall approach to online safety.
The Taoiseach and Ministers heard from Coimisiún na Meán and other relevant Regulators*, as well as an Garda Síochána, who briefed the group on progress to date implementing significant new digital regulations, and challenges they face in this important work.
This includes timely and effective implementation of our emerging Online Safety Framework, which is based on implementation of a series of EU digital regulations. Coimisiún na Meán provided an update on their new Online Safety Code, which will be adopted in October, and ongoing implementation of the EU Digital Services Act.
Ireland has a leading, EU-wide role in this new Framework, and the meeting included a focus on ensuring our regulators have the necessary resources and support to implement these measures effectively, as part of Ireland’s National Digital Strategy.
Speaking after the Summit the Taoiseach said:
"We had a productive discussion today with regulators and An Garda Síochána on their key role in the emerging Online Safety Framework, and their plans to progress this work, which is so important to ensure our most vulnerable groups are protected appropriately.
In particular, Comisiún na Meán’s new Online Safety Code, which will be adopted next month, the EU Digital Services Act and the EU AI Act are significant tools in ensuring a safe online environment.
Ireland plays a key role at both a national and EU level in regulating the digital world, and we are now at a critical point in this important work. To that end, the Government has today re-iterated our strong commitment to ensuring our regulators are supported and enabled to carry out this work effectively, both to protect citizens and provide certainty for industry. We will continue to engage closely with the European Commission, to ensure a coherent and effective digital regulatory framework.
I want to ensure that all citizens are aware of their rights and the obligations on platforms under this new online safety framework. I look forward to engaging further with relevant stakeholders in the coming weeks, with a particular focus on the safety of children and young people online.”
Minister Martin said:
“It’s important that there’s a clear understanding across the system, and across society in general of the rights and obligations that the new digital regulatory framework brings, as we aim to rebalance the responsibilities of users, platforms, and public authorities, placing citizens at the centre.
Coimisiún na Meán is central to that work, and today’s Summit emphasised the Government’s firm commitment and support to them in their important role. I look forward to the adoption of the new Online Safety Code in the coming weeks.”
END