Robert O'Donoghue
Dublin Fingal West · Labour Party · Ireland
“This is not an isolated incident. I hear it repeatedly from parents across my constituency. On top of that, the Government has brought back State examination fees. School transport charges have doubled, particularly for people going from zone 1 to zone 2, for kids in Rush and Lusk accessing the Loreto Secondary School in Balbriggan.”
“It is the airtex tops, the school trousers, the crested uniforms and the voluntary contributions that we know are not voluntary. Then comes secondary school and the bills get even bigger. Parents are expected to buy Chromebooks, laptops and iPads, often designated through one supplier at inflated prices.”
“There is an issue that has come to me in Dublin Fingal West, although it affects the country at large. I refer to the spiralling cost of summer camps and the financial burden it is placing on households earning lower to middle incomes. One parent told me that they were paying €160 a week for three hours over four days.”
“This motion could not have come at a better time. Last week, a constituent was on to me. She told me that her child had finished school on Tuesday, 30 June and the next day the first payment request from the school had landed in her inbox. That is not the end of it.”
“Education is supposed to be free but for too many families it no longer feels that way. The cost of sending a child to school has become one of the biggest financial pressures for working families. Parents are doing everything they can but they cannot keep being treated as the Department of education's funding model.”
“Horticulture is under enormous pressure. We are facing some of the most serious challenges we have seen in years, including increased input costs, energy costs and labour costs. We are still importing fruit and vegetables that we could grow ourselves. I live in north County Dublin, the market garden capital of Ireland.”
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“From where I stand, it communicates something deeply troubling: that some school communities are valued less than others. The same applies to the staff. Teachers and SNAs in this school are on the Department’s payroll, just like their colleagues elsewhere. Why should some educators have to work in cold, inadequate conditions, while others do not? Their dedication should be matched with basic standards of safety and comfort. The school is currently at stage 2a of the planning process for a new building, but progress has been slow. In the meantime, the conditions remain the same or worsen. The reality is that delays have real human consequences. They affect children’s learning, well-being and sense of belonging. They affect staff morale and their ability to deliver the high-quality education they are striving to provide.”
“There are leaks, the floors have holes in places and the temporary building is warped. These issues give rise to real safety concerns. This is not just inconvenient; it is unacceptable. There are 78 children in the school, including 12 in the special autism class. These children, some of whom have additional and complex needs, are learning in conditions that are cramped, cold and not fit for purpose. The facilities available to them do not reflect the care, dignity and support they deserve. This raises a fundamental question about equity. How is it fair that some children in our education system are taught in warm, modern and well-equipped buildings while others are expected to learn in environments that are deteriorating around them? What message does that send?”
“A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit St. Mary’s in Oldtown, which is in my constituency of Dublin Fingal West. I want to begin by sincerely thanking Julie, the principal, for making me feel so welcome. What stood out to me immediately was not just the dedication of the staff but the strength of the entire school community. The teachers, SNAs and the board of management are deeply committed and compassionate and are working tirelessly to support every child under their care. However, it is impossible to ignore the reality in which they are doing this work. The building is over 80 years old and is under immense pressure. Much of the school operates out of outdated temporary accommodation. There are storage heaters instead of proper central heating. There is damp and mould present in classrooms.”
“They deserve proper training and support to ensure the highest standards and best practices are taking place across not just soccer clubs but all clubs. We need to invest not just in facilities but in people, values and community. Football will continue to unite and inspire for generations should we do this.”
“Robust safeguarding policies, adult safeguarding policies and welfare policies are essential to ensuring that every person who participates in sport feels safe and respected and State funding to sporting organisations should be cut if they are not adhering to those codes of conduct. We must also be clear in our stance against any form of discrimination, bullying or harassment. Football, as well as all sports, should be a space where everybody belongs. We have seen a concerning level of online abuse which also needs to be stamped out. We must also support and develop those who give their time to the games - the volunteers. Whether these are coaches or committee members, they are the backbone of our clubs.”
“They need the resources to thrive. In my constituency of Dublin Fingal West, there are clubs such as Rush Athletic FC and Skerries Town FC - both of which I played for, but I can only wear one jersey - Lusk United AFC and Glebe North FC in Balbriggan. These local football clubs are doing incredible work, but they cannot do it alone. They require sustained support and investment to continue serving communities and we must support them in doing this. At the same time, investment must go hand-in-hand with strong governance. Clubs, and not just soccer clubs, must be inclusive, transparent and open to all.”
“As someone who worked in soccer refereeing for 15 years, I was probably called every name under the sun twice, and that was before I got into politics. I saw first-hand during that time the vital role that football plays in our society. It is far more than just a game; it is an anchor to local communities. It is a source of pride and a powerful force that connects people across generations, from young people taking their first steps in academies to older people representing their clubs and towns. The sense of identity and pride that football fosters is truly remarkable. It brings people together in a way that very few other activities can. However, if we are to sustain that and grow this impact, we must commit to a greater investment in football from the ground up. Grassroots clubs are the lifeblood of the sport.”
“If we fail to do so, we risk a media system where voices are limited, debate is constrained, and public trust is eroded. We will not let that happen. We will protect a media system that is plural, independent and trusted. That is what this Media Regulation Bill is all about.”
“Ultimately, it is about trust - trust that journalists can do their work without interference; trust that the public can access a wide range of voices and perspectives; and trust that the system itself is open, fair, open and independent. If we get this right, we strengthen not just our media landscape but democracy itself. In a time when misinformation spreads easily, when pressure on journalism and journalists is real and when public trust cannot be taken for granted, it has never been more important. I welcome this Bill. It moves us in the right direction. I look forward to working constructively to ensure that, as it passes through, we make it as strong, clear, and effective as it possibly can be. A free, independent and diverse media is not a luxury in a democracy - it is a necessity and it is our responsibility to protect it.”
“We want transparency and accountability. We also want a media sector that is viable, sustainable and capable of investing in quality journalism. Getting that balance right matters because once media plurality is lost, it is very difficult to get back. We need to be honest: we do not want a system dominated by a handful of powerful players, where opinion outweighs evidence - in other words, we end up with something like Fox News, heavily influencing public debate with a narrow perspective. That is a warning we ignore at our peril. This Bill matters. Not just because it implements European law but because it sets the tone for how we value and protect our media in Ireland’s future.”
“Together, these measures form a comprehensive effort to strengthen the media framework in Ireland. While the Labour Party is broadly supportive of this Bill, we will scrutinise it carefully and bring forward our own amendments, if necessary. Just like with Sinn Féin, I am sure they will be welcomed. We need to ensure definitions, especially what counts as media services are clear. We need the regulatory burden to remain proportionate, particularly for smaller media organisations. We need to ensure Coimisiún na Meán has the resources to carry out its expanded responsibilities because, ultimately, the success of this framework depends not just on the legislation but on how it is implemented in practice. At the heart of all of this is a question of balance. We want to protect media plurality and independence.”
“Again, Coimisiún na Meán will have oversight, which is appropriate given its broader responsibilities. Beyond these areas, the Bill also includes other important measures. It puts the media ownership database on a statutory footing, giving us a clear view of who owns and controls media in Ireland. It encourages codes of conduct around audience measurement, especially online, where transparency has been lacking. It is also important to remember that this Bill is one part of a broader reform programme. Measures to strengthen the independence of public service media, including RTÉ and TG4, are being progressed separately. Stronger protections for journalistic sources are being advanced through justice legislation, ensuring any interference is strictly controlled and subject to judicial oversight.”
“This is an area where the changes are very welcome. Public money is spent on advertising across a wide range of media outlets and platforms. That is entirely legitimate as public bodies need to communicate but up to now there has not been a single coherent framework ensuring transparency. This Bill addresses that gap. Public bodies will now be required to set out clearly how they approach advertising, including the criteria and processes, and to report annually on their spending, including amounts paid to individual media providers and online platforms. This is a significant step forward, which I welcome. It brings openness, accountability and fairness, ensuring there can be no perception that advertising spend is used to influence editorial decisions.”
“The €2 million turnover threshold ensures we focus on mergers that are genuinely significant in the Irish context. We do not want unnecessary barriers or burdens for smaller operators. It is about innovation and being bold and brave for the small guys. There is also flexibility with the "call-in" power, allowing Coimisiún na Meán to look at transactions below the threshold if they could meaningfully impact plurality or editorial independence. That is especially important in Ireland, where we are still one of the few countries in the world which relies on local and niche media - Tipp FM comes to mind - and which can have a big influence despite having such small turnover. A small outlet can still be a very powerful voice in our community. The second pillar of the Bill is state advertising.”
“Public confidence depends on knowing that decisions are being made fairly and transparently. The Bill also reflects the reality that the media landscape has changed dramatically. It is no longer just about traditional broadcasters or newspapers. Online platforms, social media, streaming services and digital intermediaries have enormous influence over what people see, read and hear and how it informs their decisions. Bringing these platforms within scope is not just sensible but it is necessary. If we did not do that, we would be regulating yesterday’s media environment, not today’s. Online media travels faster than anything we have previously witnessed and we cannot be crisis managing this. We always need to be ahead. At the same time, the Bill strikes a balance.”
“At its core, this Bill focuses on two key areas: media mergers and state advertising. Both of those are hugely important if we are serious about transparency, fairness and protecting our media landscape. To start with media mergers, one of the most significant changes here is the shift in how these decisions are made. Up to now, the Minister has had a central role. Under the Bill, that responsibility moves to Coimisiún na Meán. I welcome this decision. These are not just economic or technical decisions but they go directly to questions of plurality, influence and democratic health. It makes sense that they are assessed independently, based on expertise, and at arm's length from political interference and decision-making. Independence matters, not just in practice, but in perception.”
“For example, Dublin City FM's listenership figures should be used to evaluate the scope of its broadcast map, not its participation figures. It does not give a proper all-encompassing view of where it broadcasts to. I hope this Bill will encourage innovative outlets like Dublin City FM to be bold and brave and to continue to innovate. To support all of this, there will be the new European board for media services, bringing together national regulators, including Coimisiún na Meán. That kind of co-operation is essential in a media environment that does not stop at national borders. While much of the European regulation has applied directly from August 2025, there are elements that need to be put into Irish law to ensure they work properly in practice. That is where this Bill comes in.”
“It increases transparency around media ownership, so people can see clearly who controls the media outlets they rely on, especially online platforms. It puts in place protections when it comes to large online platforms, which now play a central role in how people access news and information. It also introduces a more robust procedure for assessing media mergers and brings in new transparency requirements around audience measurement and state advertising, areas that up to now have not been totally clear or consistent. This is something that was brought up with me again on Dublin City FM last week regarding its listenership figures. Coimisiún na Meán will be obliged to promote transparency in audience measurement systems.”
“I welcome the fact this is coming from the European Union. The European Media Freedom Act was brought forward because, in some member states, there have been worrying trends of concentration of ownership, political interference, pressure on journalists and erosion of media freedom. The goal at European level is clear. It is to strengthen media freedom, protect pluralism and ensure consistent standards across the Union. This is a good thing, and Ireland, rightly, is playing its part in implementing that. The European framework introduces a number of important safeguards. It strengthens protections for journalistic sources, which is absolutely fundamental if journalists are to do their job without fear. It reinforces the independence of public service media, which plays such an important role here at home.”
“We need to be honest: the stakes are high. If we allow media ownership to become too centralised and if we fail to safeguard independence and transparency, we risk seeing a system where only a few voices dominate the public discourse. Just look at examples from abroad. Fox News has one perspective, which is heavily amplified and shapes national debate. That is not the Ireland we want. We want a media system that is diverse, and most of all trusted by the public. It is important to say from the outset that this Bill does not exist in a vacuum. It is part of a wider European effort, which I welcome, to respond to real and growing concerns about media freedom and the rule of law across the EU. There are other areas within this sector and other briefs the European Union should be moving quicker on.”
“I endeavour to be half as entertaining as Deputy Ó Murchú. I am glad to be speaking on this Bill because it goes to the heart of something that is fundamental in any democracy, namely, how our media operates, who owns it and who influences it. I was with Dublin City FM just last week. It brought many of the points in this Bill to my attention. I hope this Bill is enacted and that it ultimately protects the independence and integrity of journalism in a world that is changing faster than ever before. When we talk about media, we are not just talking about businesses or platforms. We are talking about how information flows, public debate and the ability for people to access a wide range of voices and perspectives. That is what underpins a healthy democracy and that is why legislation like this matters.”
“I implore the Minister of State to look at introducing a crisis horticulture fund, like we did during the price spike arising from the war in Ukraine.”
“I could not agree more with the Minister of State. We should buy Irish. We should all be looking at that. The horticulture sector is under immense pressure due to conflict and climate change, and costs have rapidly increased over the past 20 years. I have worked in the sector. I know the amount of toil that goes into it. I have picked and packed every fruit and vegetable under the sun at some point in the past 30 years. When we had 54 days of rain in the north county, that did not make it easier to plough or to plant. Welgro produce cucumbers in glasshouses in Rush. It uses gas to heat the glasshouses to grow the vegetables. Its energy costs will go from €200,000 to €400,000 a year if prices remain the same. That is with fertiliser prices on top. This snowballing of costs is not viable. Our growers need support and they need it urgently.”
“The agriculture sector is worth €19 billion, yet the focus in here is always on the beef and dairy sectors - fair play to them, they are well represented. My constituency is where the growers are - the market garden of Ireland in Dublin Fingal West. If we got half the attention the beef sector gets, we would be doing really well. It is time to give the horticulture sector its due to develop the potential it deserves because that is where our real food security lies.”
“I accept that we do not know when the war in the Middle East is going to come to a conclusion but does the Minister of State accept or acknowledge that if fertiliser prices rise again - compounded by high gas and fuel inputs - that may make many Irish fruit and vegetable producers unviable? We currently import 83% of our vegetables. This is a food security issue. There were 600 growers 20 years ago and there are 73 now. I am calling for a firm commitment to targeted supports - like the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, spoke about in the Dáil yesterday - for the horticultural sector, and a dedicated horticultural crisis fund like we brought in during the spike in prices at the start of the war in Ukraine.”
“We have had warnings from European farm organisations that nitrogen fertiliser imports into the EU have fallen by 80% since the carbon border adjustment mechanism, CBAM. What assessments has the Minister made on the likely consequences it will have for fertiliser prices and the availability for the Irish horticulture industry in 2026? Has he raised the concerns with the European Commission given that growers of fruit, vegetables and protected crops are already under severe cost pressures and further increases to the price of fertiliser due to the conflict in the Middle East could undermine domestic food production?”
“They keep people connected, they support local businesses and they stop dereliction on main streets. They provide human contact in an increasingly impersonal online world. If we truly believe in balanced regional development, in social inclusion and in vibrant communities, the preservation and retention of our post office network must be part of that vision. The time for talking about closures is over. The time to secure our post offices' future happens today in this Chamber and the social value should always exceed profit.”
“If we allow these closures to continue unchecked, we will wake up one day to find that an essential layer of community life has vanished and rebuilding it will be far more expensive, financially and socially, than preserving it will now. Ministers have statutory powers which must be used for the public good and not to facilitate a sell-off of civic amenities or essential lifelines for our communities. The Government must commit to a long-term strategy that keeps post offices in public ownership and expands their role as service providers and hubs. Communities should not have to fight - building by building, town by town, and village by village - to retain essential infrastructure. Post offices are not merely commercial outlets; they are anchors of community life.”
“The Labour Party believes that the State should not be stripping an asset that is essential for community infrastructure, particularly in an area that is already starved of public amenities and civic space. It is not just Rathmines; we have seen closures in Ballsbridge and Harold's Cross, and reports of reduced services in Ranelagh. It is not happening in isolation; it is a pattern. In the past year it has taken persistent effort and a groundswell of public activism to secure even minimal engagement between An Post and Dublin City Council regarding the future of the Rathmines building. The level of debate in the Dáil today shows that awareness is growing. The importance of this issue is seeping through, but awareness is not action.”
“Economically, post offices support nearby businesses and ensure footfall without which small retailers can struggle. In short, for towns like Rush and Lusk a post office is not just a postal facility; it is a vital public service, a social hub and an anchor for the local community. Another area that is being ripped apart by closures is Deputy Ivana Bacik's constituency of Dublin Bay South. She is working alongside our local representatives in Rathmines, Councillors Dermot Lacey and Fiona Connelly, who have been working hard regarding the future of the An Post in Rathmines, which is roughly the size of Drogheda. An iconic 1930s post office building faces closure, relocation and sale to the private market. The area has already lost its citizens' information centre and its public partnership office.”
“There is no reason Ireland cannot do it. In my constituency of Dublin Fingal West, particularly in the towns of Rush and Lusk which balance a rapidly growing population with a strong local identity, the sense of familiarity and trust matters. Losing a post office can often feel like losing part of the town's social fabric. In growing commuter towns, not everybody works locally during the day but the post office remains a constant, accessible public service at the heart of the community. It provides essential services such as bill payments, pensions, social welfare collections, banking, passport applications and parcel services. For older residents, people without reliable transport or those who are less comfortable with online services, having a local branch is crucial.”
“The Labour Party is pushing for a transformation of the post office network into genuine community hubs that are not relics of the past but pillars of the future. A reimagined post office service could offer passport and driving licence renewals; motor tax payments; NCT bookings and other public service appointments; citizens information services; voter registration support; and space for local groups, youth services, and community meetings. This model would keep post offices viable while strengthening communities. It would reduce pressure on other overstretched public services. It would ensure that those who struggle with digital systems are not excluded. It would anchor civic life in our towns and villages, something that is currently lacking. Other countries have embraced this model and we can look to them for research and guidance.”
“Yes, the ways people use post offices changed and the traditional mail service - we cannot deny that - but market trends cannot justify cutting a public service, which is what this is. It is the reduction of a public service many people still rely on. Not everyone has high-speed Internet or is comfortable navigating online systems. Not everyone can manage complex digital forms. For older people, those with disabilities, those with lower levels of digital literacy, those new to an area and those who simply value face-to-face assistance, the local post office is a lifeline. This is where political will must step in. Let us future-proof our An Post services to breathe new initiatives back in to local services.”
“A further 161 closures are confirmed or in process as of late 2025 and early 2026, largely due to voluntary retirements. Rural communities have been hardest hit, representing nearly 80% of closures. The network is consolidating to approximately 950 locations and there are concerns that up to a third of the remaining rural offices are at risk. That is not the future of our public services; it is their erosion and it is irresponsible. The Ministers, Deputies O’Donovan and Chambers, are required to sign-off on the disposal of an An Post property. That means they have the authority to stop the wholesale sell off of publicly-owned post office buildings. Yet, when we directly asked whether they would prevent such sales no undertaking was given.”
“In rural towns and villages, post offices are often the only remaining local retail outlet, frequently integrated with other shops or newsagents. They are indispensable. They provide everyday goods and services that might otherwise be out of reach. Their presence sustains footfall, fosters economic activity and supports neighbouring small businesses. Customers visiting the local post office often spend money in nearby shops, they might grab a coffee or pop into a pharmacy. When the post office closes, that loss has a ripple effect, economically and socially. The closure can feel symbolic. A withdrawal of services and another derelict building, usually on the main street in a town or village. Previous speakers have mentioned how over 250 post offices have closed across Ireland in the past decade.”
“Across this country, we are witnessing a slow hollowing out of our post office network and in-person public services more generally. This is not simply an administrative shift or a commercial decision. It is the gradual stripping away of the civic infrastructure that holds communities together. Post offices are far more than service providers - they are the beating heart of many communities. They bring people together, they strengthen social connections and they ensure essential services remain accessible, especially in rural and underserved areas. For many people, a visit to the post office is not just about posting a letter or paying a bill. It is about human interaction, reducing loneliness and maintaining a sense of belonging in our communities.”
“This will only happen when the Government and online platforms show leadership and accountability, take on regulation and, above all, give a commitment to protecting everyone's right to safety, whether online or offline because ultimately online activity manifests itself in the real world.”
“Young people reach out more online than through Childline, as they would have in the 1990s. We do not shut our children out of the real world; instead, we teach them how to navigate it safely and responsibly. We must take the same approach to the online world, guiding and equipping them to engage in what is safe and respectful. That means children who set up accounts, understand the games they play, discuss the risks, and set boundaries about private chats and unsupervised online interactions. We cannot treat the online world as separate from the real world. For children today, they are one and the same. The Internet can be a positive and empowering place but that future will not happen by accident.”
“Coimisiún na Meán must take a proactive role in regulating online safety and updating the digital safety code. Platforms must be held accountable when they fail to implement adequate safety measures. We need to work to make primary and secondary schools smartphone-free, strengthen online safety education, and ensure digital literacy becomes a core pillar of the education system. We must also support parents and schools by investing in public awareness campaigns and well-being training. Finally, dedicated resources should be allocated to a public health research programme examining the impact of digital devices and online platforms on children. We need to tread carefully around a blanket ban on online access for kids under 16. The online space is where many young people find connection and community.”
“The safety of anyone who accesses the online world is not a niche concern. It is one of the defining health issues of our time, and the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, attested to that last night during oral questions. The dangers are real. They are growing and already affecting the most vulnerable. We cannot allow algorithms to shape our children’s and young people's values more than parents, teachers and communities do. We cannot continue to rely on weak promises from platform giants while the evidence of harm increases all around us. It is essential that children and adults are protected in digital spaces and on social media platforms by preventing recommender system algorithms from targeting or manipulating them. To achieve this, we need to introduce effective new regulations, and legislation where necessary.”
“We must support the front-line organisations working to protect young people, researchers, youth workers and educators. They need proper funding, training and staffing to keep pace with the fast-evolving landscape. We need stronger international co-operation. It would be ideal if the EU moved quicker on this and gave us guidelines for which we could legislate. I would not see that as a bad thing because the harm travels globally and our response must be global too. Ireland has a significant role to play in shaping European and international digital safety frameworks. We must listen to young people themselves also. They are the experts in their own online experiences. Many want safer spaces, better reporting tools, clearer rules, real consequences and platforms that respect their safety as much as their data.”
“Parental controls must be clear and accessible, not buried in complicated menus or hidden entirely. Parents also cannot be passive in this. A lot of parents in their 30s or 40s, which is my own age group, grew up with social media, so it is not completely unknown to us. We need transparency. Algorithms shape what young people see, how they think and even how they interact with one another. If those algorithms are promoting misogyny, self-harm content, gambling mechanisms or predatory behaviour, then companies must be held accountable. Independent audits and mandatory risk assessments are essential. We need a cultural shift in how parents, educators and communities approach the online world. We do not need to be tech experts, but we need to be present as regards how algorithms are used to shape how we think.”
“TikTok is the fastest growing platform on the planet among children and young people, yet the measures in place to protect them remain inconsistent and insufficient. We are dealing not only with harmful content but a system designed to amplify whatever keeps users engaged, regardless of its impact on safety or well-being. We need to be clear this is not about vilifying technology. It is about recognising the scale of the challenge, the pace of the danger and the responsibility we have, collectively, to act. We need robust, enforceable legislation that places clear responsibility on digital platforms, especially those targeting children. It is no longer acceptable for companies to rely on weak standards or reactive moderation. Safety cannot be optional. Age verification must be meaningful, not cosmetic.”
“It is where they laugh, learn, chat, play and sometimes face pressures and dangers they do not yet have the tools to understand. Research has shown that social media algorithms can funnel boys towards misogynistic and extremist content within minutes of first using an app. What begins as a harmless interest in fitness, gaming, chatting to friends or motivation can quickly transform into violent, demeaning and hyper-aggressive content that normalises misogyny and distorts masculinity. This "aggro-rithm" in effect preys on the vulnerable, particularly people in lonely situations, and is now influencing real-world interactions, peer culture and even school behaviour. Teachers are reporting misogynistic attitudes in classrooms and playground behaviour that is being reinforced by what boys are seeing pushed upon them online.”
“While technology has evolved at lightning speed, regulation has not. Too often, laws remain relaxed, fragmented or outdated and in this gap between innovation and governance, harm has grown. Across Ireland, and indeed across the world, parents are calling for clearer and stronger action to keep children safe online. They are not calling for perfection or censorship. They are calling for basic, enforceable safeguards to protect their sons and daughters from exploitation, bullying and exposure to harmful content. We know that digital violence against women and girls is surging. We know that powerful algorithms are targeting boys with increasingly extreme and misogynistic content. We know that the online world is now an enormous part of young people’s daily lives.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue and thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for bringing it forward. In fact, I was in the Chamber only last night questioning the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, and highlighting alarming levels of online abuse directed at our national sporting representatives. Given that we are going into two by-elections, the people putting themselves forward for those two elections will be targeted online. Unfortunately, that is the reality. Social media, at its best, is a powerful tool. It connects, educates and empowers us, and it gives people a way to explore their interests and activities. However, over the years, we have seen the online world expand at a pace far beyond what our laws, our institutions, and even the most well-intentioned digital platforms can keep up with.”
“I have spoken about this before and emphasised that strong adult safeguarding policies must be a priority for every club from local level all the way up to our international superstars. We must ensure sport remains what it is when it is at its best, a force that brings people together and builds communities.”
“A member of my bunch's last time in Government can confirm that. I thank the Minister. I do not believe it was a good idea to withhold funding from the clubs based off the incident in Oriel Park when the root of the cause really lies elsewhere. It begins online with what is usually a small minority using social media platforms to whip up outrage and hostility before a ball is even kicked. Clubs, which do extraordinary work on the ground and in their communities, should not be punished for the actions of individuals acting behind anonymous accounts, as the Minister mentioned. The focus must be held on those online platforms and users to be held properly accountable. No one here should face abuse - Government or Opposition.”
“Recent incidents, including the flares thrown in Oriel Park at a young supporter, show the real-life consequences. As the Minister said, abuse should have no place in sport. Enforcement is a good thing as long as it works. The numbers on enforcement from Coimisiún na Meán would be good to see.”
“I thank the Minister. Online abuse is no longer confined to social media. It spills out into our stadiums, communities and local sports grounds. I was a soccer referee for a long time and I can attest to that. It is lovely to hear the Minister say there must be zero tolerance. For this behaviour, those responsible - it is hard to call them fans - should face real consequences. They should be banned from matches. They should have their online accounts sanctioned and we should have the social media companies walk with us. The Minister mentioned the abuse aimed at Edwin Edogbo, for which the IRFU had to turn off comments. That shows how serious the problem is. If we do not act now and hold people accountable, it will only get worse.”