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

Harassment and harmful communications Bill

Summary

Brendan Howlin pressed for urgent progress on legislation to tackle online harassment and bullying. The Justice Minister said the Bill is a priority and expects progress early in the new year.

My question is for the Taoiseach and perhaps the Minister for Justice and Equality. It is a matter I have raised many times but I am very conscious of it coming into the Christmas period. Many people, young people in particular, will be subject to online harassment and bullying over the Christmas period. It is a fact that will make life miserable for them. We had hoped in this House that the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 would be law by now. This is an important issue. I had occasion to meet a constituent of Deputy Eoin Ó Broin whose daughter committed suicide after vicious online harassment and who asked that the House name the harassment Bill "Coco's law" in her daughter's honour. Will the Minister for Justice and Equality indicate where that Bill now stands and when he envisages that we will be able to deal with this pernicious and vicious crime?

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Charles Flanagan Minister for Justice and Equality Fine Gael

I thank Deputy Howlin for the question. I agree with him regarding the priority nature of this legislation. I acknowledge a group within my Department that is working closely with Deputy Howlin and others to ensure the legislation, as drafted, can be fit for purpose. I expect progress on this issue early in the new year and I assure Deputies, in particular Deputy Howlin, that I will keep them fully informed of developments. I expect to be in a position to report progress early in the new year.

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