Committee to discuss EU conflict with Irish online safety Bill
Ireland’s Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Bill could clash with aspects of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
New legislation aimed at draw up rules around how social media services deal with potential harmful or malicious online content, including cyber-bullying, will go before the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media later today for discussion.
The promotion of criminal material, serious cyber-bullying material and material promoting self-harm, suicide or disorders online will also be tackled as part of the proposed EU Digital Services Package and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.
The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, which is chaired by Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fail TD, Niamh Smyth, will meet later this afternoon (1.30pm) to discuss the potential “interplay” between the EU Digital Services Package and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.
Social media companies including Facebook and Twitter have frequently warned that Ireland’s Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Bill could clash with aspects of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Smyth explained: “The EU Digital Services Package comprises two new regulations as proposed by the European Commission. The Digital Services Act proposes to create a safer digital space within which the fundamental rights of all users of digital services are protected, while the Digital Markets Act proposes to establish of a level playing field to foster innovation, growth, and competitiveness, both in the European Single Market and globally.”
She added the “potential overlap” between the EU DSP and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, as approved by Government last week and is due before the Oireachtas in the coming weeks is something that must be investigated.
“Following extensive pre-legislative scrutiny last year by this Committee, Members welcome this opportunity to discuss these legislative packages and to discussing the issues involved and related matters with the officials from both departments.”
The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.
The meeting in Committee Room 1 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV HERE.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.