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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Irish Rail updates and platform X

Summary

Deputy O’Reilly criticised Irish Rail for relying on platform X and urged a more accessible alternative such as WhatsApp. The Taoiseach said the broader issue was how platforms are regulated and enforced, discussed harmful online content, and said the Government would examine the suggestion.

I do not need to remind the Taoiseach about the massive issues people are having with the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. It is an absolute cesspit. More and more people are leaving the platform. In fact, I would be inclined to leave the platform myself were it not for the fact that I am a commuter who regularly uses the northern commuter line. Irish Rail continues to give its updates only via X, not on its website or on any other platform. There is no dedicated WhatsApp channel or anything like that. As recently as yesterday evening, it confirmed that it has no plans to move off the platform X. I have been contacted by my constituents in quite large numbers to say that they want to leave X but cannot because they simply have to have it to be able to access real-time information about disruptions. There are often disruptions on the northern line. Will the Government offer an alternative to people, please?

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The point that the Deputy has raised raises the issue more generally of how one responds to issues that emerged in respect of Grok, for example, and its use and application or manipulation. What is important is the laws we have in place and our enforcement regime. Child pornography is banned in Irish law under the 1998 Act. It is an important point to make. That is across-the-board, whether it is AI-created or in other forms. That is important. We need to focus on the laws we have in place to prevent the type of activity that people are understandably horrified by.

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People should have a choice.

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We also have laws pertaining to adults. The Attorney General has already given me preliminary advice in relation to this. The issue is that what is a problem on one platform today can be a problem on another platform tomorrow, and on another platform the day after. We will look at it.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Thank you. I call Deputy Michael Murphy.

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A dedicated WhatsApp channel would work.

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We will look at that.

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