Social Media
Dail Éireann — 2026-03-03
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Patrick O'Donovan (FG), Limerick County

I am still no clearer as to whether the Deputy's party is going to support legislation that is going to be brought before the House in respect of a digital wallet. This is the public health issue of our generation. I have three small children and I am speaking as a parent. Previous generations had issues with smoking and alcohol from a public health point of view. We know that social media causes huge issues around mental health, addiction and physical health.
Deputy Byrne is talking about a self-regulated system. What does that mean in the absence of a law? I am still no clearer. Again, will Deputy Byrne enlighten me, as Opposition spokesperson, whether she is in favour of taking children off social media or whether she is in favour of allowing social media companies to continue to be the dominant voice on the future of our children online, because I am no clearer as to where her party stands on it?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-03-03/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-03