1551. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department is considering amending existing online safety laws to grant Coimisiún na Meán more powers to take down or geoblock websites, something which they are currently only able to do as a last resort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59265/26]

Ireland's online safety framework comprises the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, the EU Digital Services Act, the Terrorist Content Online Regulation, and the Online Safety Code. Coimisiún na Meán is at the heart of that framework and is designated as the Digital Services Coordinator in Ireland under the EU Digital Services Act.

As the Digital Services Coordinator, Coimisiún na Meán's powers to block or restrict access to online services derive from the EU Digital Services Act, which sets out the procedures for blocking and provides that this action follows when other avenues to remedy an infringement have failed.

The EU Digital Services Act is a maximum harmonization Regulation, which means that Member States may not introduce additional national provisions in areas within scope of that Act.

The Digital Services Act is due to be reviewed in 2027. As the Digital Services Act is within the remit of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, it will be for his Department to coordinate the Irish input to that review.

The Audiovisual Media Services Directive, which is the Directive implemented through the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, is currently being reviewed at European level and proposals for additional measures in respect of online safety and other issues are expected to be published before year end. Ireland will give effect to those additional provisions in the updated Directive when it has been finalised following negotiations at Council level and with the European Parliament.