Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill due to be published this week.

On 12th January 2022, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD received government approval to publish the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.

It is expected that the new legislation could be enacted into law by the summer recess. This draft legislation will make the online environment a safer place for everyone, particularly children and young people in Ireland.

Clare Daly, Child Law Solicitor, CKT recently gave an overview of the 33 recommendations contained in the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. The Bill has huge potential, especially if enacted to include these 33 Recommendations, to ensure that all children and young people in Ireland are safer when online.

Read more about the recommendations here.

Of the 33 recommendations contained in the report, some still require further consideration due to their complexity. Minister Martin will establish an expert group tasked with reviewing the recommendations, and suggesting any potential amendments to the Bill.  These amendments will be brought forward at Committee Stage.