I move amendment No. 94: In page 53, between lines 22 and 23, to insert the following: “(5A) Provision made for the purpose referred to in subsection (2)(d)(i) may prohibit or restrict the inclusion in advertising or programmes of advertisements or commercial communications relating to the promotion of speculative financial activities likely to pose a significant financial risk to an individual, including the promotion of cryptocurrency trading.”.

I move amendment No. 96: In page 56, line 21, after “person” to insert “for a minimum period of 30 days”.

The amendment seeks to ensure there will be a minimum period for the public consultation on media service rules or codes. While I expect the commission to operate best practice, I would like a minimum period to be set in law to ensure there will be proper public consultation. Sometimes if there is just a two-week period of consultation, for example, and if that falls over a Christmas period or the month of August, there is not the same level of public engagement that might otherwise be got. That is why I have looke…

I welcome amendment No. 97. It relates to the earlier amendment that was around strengthening the information channel and exchange between an individual and the commission, for example, through the commission informing individuals when their information had been passed on. This is an amendment that seeks to ensure people will get a timely response, even if it is the case that their complaint is adjudicated to not have merit and is dismissed, so they are not in a limbo situation of not knowing whether their complain…

I move amendment No. 98: In page 78, to delete lines 37 to 40, and in page 79, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following: “139D. (1) In this Part, ‘age-inappropriate online content’ includes online content that either— (a) is likely to be unsuitable for children (either generally or below a particular age), having regard to their capabilities, their development, and their rights and interests, in particular content consisting of— (i) pornography, or (ii) realistic representations of, or of the effects of,…

I will speak to this group of amendments. I had intended to table another amendment in this group, but it was a narrow one put forward in the context of amendment No. 112 and commercial communications. I had wanted a general provision in respect of commercial communications and young people, which is one I would have pressed further. In effect, these amendments seek to address the targeting of dangerous content at minors. I am concerned by the gaps in legislation highlighted by very high-profile cases, for example,…

This is a matter that should and could get taken up later. I will not dwell further on it. While I accept the Minister's point that some of the provisions, including those relating to alcohol, gambling and high-salt and high-fat foods, have been addressed somewhat, we could strengthen the provisions in respect of weapons. We also need to strengthen the tools the commission will use and the steps it will take around age-appropriate content.

I move amendment No. 99: In page 79, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following: “(fa) the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” .

This amendment seeks to include a specific reference to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I am aware it is the Minister's preference not to name individual conventions and specific charters but we have ratified this one and we have made a commitment as a State. I believe that we must start embedding it. Again, this is just being consistent with ensuring that we seek to embed it. It is because it is a new commitment that I am seeking to have it embedded in legislation wherever possible.

Amendment No. 102 focuses on the question of young people and children's access. My amendment No. 128 seeks to put greater pressure and an onus on the content provider. I spoke a little bit to this in the previous section. I was not sure if I had put it in but I realise that I have. This is a really practical proposal. One of the powers is around the content limitation notice whereby the commission can request that certain content be limited or removed, or that access be disabled. This is a very important provision…

I second the amendment.

I hope we will see it coming into effect and that the phrase "in accordance with the law" will not constrain it. I particularly welcome this amendment because it is bringing those same provisions from the media service codes into the online safety codes measure, which is really positive. It is a positive, significant step forward, because it addresses these issues not simply as media regulation issues but as safety issues. This is a particularly strong measure to move the Bill forward and ensure that we have online…

I move amendment No. 106: In page 82, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(4A) Without prejudice to subsection (2) an online safety code may prohibit the targeting at minors of commercial communications.”.

I will not speak at length because I have already spoken on this. I was mistaken about the groupings. I spoke earlier about how, since 2018, we have theoretically had something on the books to state we should not target minors with commercial communications. That needs to come into effect as soon as possible. I feel strongly about this matter. My amendment states, "an online safety code may prohibit the targeting at minors of commercial communications." I believe it should and that we should have stronger measures,…

We have been told there is an issue with the commencement of the Act because of the definition of companies. The policy was accepted by the Seanad and the Minister but there is an issue with the wording of the section. That is why I have suggested this mechanism, which allows for the prohibition of the targeting of minors with commercial communications through online safety codes, as a way to achieve the policy point agreed when debating the Data Protection Act, in a way that will not present similar technical prob…

I move amendment No. 109: In page 82, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(4A) Without prejudice to subsection (2), an online safety code may prohibit content or commercial communications relating to the promotion of gambling.”.

I move amendment No. 110: In page 82, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(4A) Without prejudice to subsection (2), an online safety code may prohibit content or commercial communications relating to the promotion of speculative financial activities likely to pose a significant financial risk to an individual, including the promotion of cryptocurrency trading.”.

I move amendment No. 112: In page 82, between lines 39 and 40, to insert the following: “(4A) Without prejudice to subsection (2) an online safety code may prohibit the targeting at minors of content or commercial communications which seek to promote weapons or the sale of weapons.”.

I move amendment No. 116: In page 84, between lines 14 and 15, to insert the following: “(5A) Services defined under subsection (5) shall not be deemed to be designated online services until such date as set by the Minister following the transposition into Irish law of the European Digital Services Act.”.

In many areas, I have sought to strengthen the provisions of the Bill, but this addresses an area where I believe the Bill may be overreaching. I refer specifically to private messaging and online cloud storage services, which I do not believe constitute audiovisual content as envisaged in the directive. Those areas more properly belong to the digital services directive. There has been much discussion and consideration of the digital services directive, which has only now become an EU directive. The Minister has in…