I will speak to the amendment but the Data Protection Commission is in a different Department, obviously. I have had engagement with it in my Ministry. It has developed significant robustness in recent years, with a record fine of €1.2 billion imposed on Meta. I wish Ms Helen Dixon well in her new role. In addition to preparing the Bill, however, we have ensured that Coimisiún na Meán, and its digital services co-ordinator, DSC, in particular, will be resourced to take on their role. We are very aware of the scale …

I assure the Senator that is not my intention. One of the reasons we are rushing the legislation is so that we have it all in place for 17 February. We will kick off with serious intent from the start. There is nothing in the Bill to prohibit the CCPC from examining or reviewing the decisions of member states. It does not need to be obligatory, as the amendment proposes. I am sure the CCPC will do that in the context of the way it approaches its work. The Bill will hopefully be passed this evening but we will conti…

I thank Senator Ahearn for moving the earlier signature motion. The Government's decision to seek this motion was not taken lightly but is judged necessary due to the extremely tight timetable for enactment and commencement of the Bill in advance of the EU deadline of 17 February. The Bill is necessary for the full implementation in Ireland of the EU regulation known as the Digital Services Act. Senators will be aware that 13 of the 22 very large online platforms and search engines designated under the DSA are esta…

I move amendment No. 1: In page 10, line 21, to delete “section 201(2)” and substitute “that section”. Amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, and amendments Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, are technical amendments which relate to the correction of cross-referenced inaccuracies within the Bill. They do not give rise to any policy change.

I move amendment No. 2: In page 28, line 25, to delete “section 139ZLA(5)” and substitute “section 139ZLA(6)”.

I move amendment No. 3: In page 29, line 1, to delete “section 139ZLA(5)” and substitute “section 139ZLA(6)”.

I thank Deputy O’Reilly. We had a very good discussion. She is absolutely not putting words in my mouth. I certainly would not wish to inadvertently exclude a body from being able to apply for vetted researcher status. Following our discussion on Committee Stage, I have reviewed the Bill. On foot of the review I undertook in light of our discussion, I am again satisfied that the Bill does not have the effect of excluding any specific researchers from making an application for vetted researcher status. What the Bill…

I have absolutely no illusions as to the role of trusted flaggers here. Starting with amendment No. 6, the providers of online services are obliged to prioritise notices submitted by trusted flaggers about the presence on their service of specific content or information the trusted flagger considers to be illegal content. It is important, and we had this discussion on Committee Stage, that illegal content is the focus of this Bill and not what might be seen as objectionable. The priority channel for trusted flagger…

I absolutely recommit to those assurances. I want people to be able to use this legislation and the intention of the fee is that Coimisiún na Meán could specify a fee for applications or review requests for a trusted flagger, vetted researchers or out-of-court dispute settlement bodies. The provision is intended to enable an coimisiún to set nominal fees if it considers it necessary to cover costs for applications or review requests. It is absolutely not intended to be profit generating and certainly not to be a di…

I move amendment No. 10: In page 60, line 38, to delete “section 60” and substitute “section 62” .

I move amendment No. 11: In page 70, line 15, to delete “section 53(5)” and substitute “section 53(6)” .

I move amendment No. 12: In page 70, line 25, to delete “section 53(5)” and substitute “section 53(6)” .

May I say a few words, a Cheann Comhairle?

I put on record my thanks to Deputy O'Reilly and her staff for their very constructive engagement. I especially thank the officials in my Department who have done extraordinary work over a very short period, including right through the Christmas break, to get this legislation ready. We will assume a very important role on 17 February as a consequence of this legislation. I acknowledge everybody's contributions.

Noted.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus le gach Teachta a bhí páirteach sa díospóireacht seo, go háirithe leis na Teachtaí a léigh an Bille agus a bhí ag caint faoi cad a bhí sa Bhille, thar aon rud eile. I re-emphasise that the purpose of the Digital Services Bill is to provide for full implementation in Ireland of the EU regulation on a single market for digital services. This Bill will be an indispensable component of a pioneering regulatory framework to protect EU users' digital services and thei…

I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment pursuant to Standing Orders 95 and 181.

Get him a coffee.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gcoiste sin as plean fiontair an iarthair. As the Deputy knows, balanced regional enterprise development continues to be a key policy for this Government, as is reaffirmed in the White Paper on enterprise. Our Department contributes to this agenda in several ways, including through the development, implementation and oversight of nine regional enterprise plans. The west regional enterprise plan covers Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, and was launched in Castlebar last year. Each regional enterpr…

I thank the Deputy. I do not have specific detail on the three areas to which she has referred. I will get back to her because I agree there is potential. I had an engagement with a representative of the Irish wool industry last week. He pointed out the significant potential in far-eastern markets, in particular, and I am following that through. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, launched the smart regional innovation scheme and we are currently open to ideas and proposals on that scheme via Enterprise Ireland. Every Tu…