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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Harassment Bill progress

Summary

Deputy Howlin sought progress on the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill, which he said had broad support after passing the Dáil. The Tánaiste said work was ongoing on how to progress Private Members' Bills, noted ministerial support in principle, and promised a timescale from the Minister.

I ask the Tánaiste about the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017, with which he may be familiar. This is a Labour Party Bill dealing with the important issues of cyberbullying and online harassment and the real damage being done online, particularly to younger people. There was strong support for it across the House, including from the Government benches, when I introduced it and the Bill was passed in the Dáil last June. I spoke to the Minister subsequently and a promise was made to give the Bill a fair wind. When is it likely that we will see progress on this very important measure?

Comment on this
Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I understand there is some work ongoing on a memorandum of understanding on how we bring forward and progress Private Members' Bills because many such Bills have been passed. It is also my understanding that the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, is, in principle, supportive of what Deputy Howlin is trying to do in his Bill.

Comment on this

So he told me, yes.

Comment on this
Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I will revert to the Deputy with a timescale from the Minister.

Comment on this