Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-07-08
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Gareth Scahill (FG), Nominated by the Taoiseach

We often talk about engaging with kids and meeting kids where they are but, unfortunately, these media companies and these vultures that deal in this particular area are also trying to meet kids where they are and they are adapting every day. As a member of the AI committee, I am very enthused by the opportunity that artificial intelligence is going to bring to us across health and so many sectors like enterprise and research. The opportunities it presents are immense but there is also the dark side to all of this. I refer to the way that algorithms are manipulated and laws and safeguards are circumvented. As Senator Tully said, the age verification app was hacked within minutes of being released, unfortunately. A Bill being produced now needs to be an evolving Bill, one that can meet the demands that will present themselves in six months' time as well as the demands that are currently present.
Going back to the clear message, the basis for bringing forward the Bill is that kids deserve the opportunity to be kids first and foremost.
As Senator Rabbitte said, we will not be able to do this by just saying "No", introducing the safeguards and trying to ensure these companies comply. Parents will have to be extensively involved in this, but legislation is the only way this will be stopped. The companies we are dealing with on this are so used to avoiding a rule in one jurisdiction by somehow positioning themselves in another jurisdiction to circumvent it all. That is where we have to be more dynamic. It means we have to be able to adjust and change the legislation as we are going on. I am fully supportive of what Senator Mullen has produced here and I believe parents across the country will be fully supportive of what he is trying to achieve. It aligns directly with Government policy and what the Minister is planning to do during Ireland's Presidency of the European Council. I compliment the Senator on this.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-07-08/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:10+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-08