Last week, I raised with the Tánaiste the question of whether the Dáil would be able to call on Facebook and Google to provide volumetric data on how much online advertising took place during the recent referendum campaign. In the interim, this issue has remained on the front pages of newspapers and in headlines across the globe. There are examples in other countries where this is a real problem. We can take action in respect of this matter in a way that will create a good news story. It could show standards and precedent in terms of how transparency in online advertising can work well.

I am pleased that Fianna Fáil has indicated its willingness to support the motion I put forward last weekend. Similarly, I am pleased that Sinn Féin and the Labour Party have agreed to support the motion. I am sure it will attract widespread agreement from others in the House. Has the Government been able to consider that suggestion? Will the Government join the call from the rest the House for Facebook and Google to provide such analysis as best they can? By using UCD and the Transparent Referendum Initiative, they could provide it in a safe way that gives us the full story.

We are over time.

Could the Tánaiste support that call?

There is an interdepartmental group on the security of Ireland's electoral process and disinformation. It was established earlier in the year and is being led by the Department of the Taoiseach. The group includes representatives from the Departments of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justice and Equality, Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Education and Skills and Defence, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. We have already an active conversation at quite a high level in government. The group is expected to report shortly. It would certainly be helpful if other activity were taking place. In the case mentioned by the Deputy, such activity is being led by UCD. It would be helpful if Facebook and Google were to co-operate with studies of this sort. They are really about informing policymakers in future in order that we might make appropriate decisions. I would certainly encourage large social media platform companies to supply as much information as they can in order that we might make informed decisions in future.