I welcome the announcement made by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, that he will introduce legislation to appoint an online safety commissioner. That is a hugely positive result for the people who have long championed the need for a regulator. Organisations like Cyber Safe Ireland and the ISPCC and the Ombudsman for Children have also called for the commission for some time. It also reflects the recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission in its report on digital safety and harmful communications. Forming a stand-alone office will strengthen the State's efforts to combat micro-targeting, advertisements and cyberbullying. Ultimately, the initiative will allow users to interact online in a safer manner. The proposals mirror the Digital Safety Commissioner Bill 2017, which was brought forward by Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I commend him on his efforts because without them, I do not think the current initiative would be happening.

I wish to note my concern as to why the Government must spend time and resources drafting its own legislation and taking up the time of the Select Committee on Justice and Equality as it is already working on the Bill put forward by Deputy Ó Laoghaire. I call on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to work with the committee and amend the legislation, if necessary. That would be a more prudent use of resources.

The Minister for Health said on this week's "The Week in Politics" that some of the Private Members' Bills brought forward in these Houses are poorly drafted. He is right but in defence of Members who draft legislation, they do not have the resources of an entire Department at their disposal. If a Department is willing to support, in principle, legislation, then there is an onus and a responsibility on the Department to draft amendments or to work with the legislator.

We were all confounded by the latest threat and app in terms of the appropriateness of the Internet. I encourage everyone, including parents, teachers and students, to get involved in the six-week public consultation launched this week on online safety legislation to improve online safety and to ensure that children especially can be protected online.

For far too long we have left the door open for all sorts of awful things to sneak in. We must ensure that this does not happen. Fianna Fáil has repeatedly called for the establishment of a regulator for technology giants or an online safety commissioner who would oversee a system that would protect consumers. This is an urgent matter and, frankly, the State has dragged its heels in terms of this matter.

Online platforms are currently required to remove content which is a criminal offence under Irish and EU laws. However, our laws do not meaningfully prevent such things as the Momo challenge, which had the children of Ireland up all night all last week. The question I heard repeatedly being asked was what can be done about this matter. I want giant tech companies to take greater steps to keep their users safe online. We would be one of the first countries to have such regulations. Since we are home to so many of these companies, we need to lead the way. I call on members of the public to make submissions because it is important that they do so.

I second the call by Senator Boylan to invite the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, in here for a debate.