A Senator has called for Ireland to “find a solution” to “hate speech and misinformation” online, saying social media users were being “let away with it” by platforms.
The remarks were made by Independent Senator Martin Conway during a statement in the Seanad this week, where he focused on the online reaction to comments made by Senator Eileen Flynn in recent days.
Conway said the issue had been highlighted by the volume and nature of commentary directed at Flynn across social media platforms, which he argued had gone unchecked.
“Last week, I spoke about the treatment of Senator Flynn by the social media platforms and by individuals on those platforms who were let away with it by them,” he said.
The previous week he had said in the Seanad: “I stand in solidarity with Senator Flynn following her contribution this morning. The messages of hate she received are despicable. I sincerely hope An Garda Síochána deals with it expeditiously and brings these people to book for what they are doing. Her sentiments regarding the flag were very well articulated. It is incumbent on all of us to stand in solidarity with her at this time.”
He also briefly referenced wider discussions at an Oireachtas committee around misinformation online, including in relation to vaccines.
“Today, the HSE was at the health committee on the matter of vaccines,” he said.
“One of the issues discussed was the misinformation that seemed to be proliferating on social media about vaccines.”
Conway argued that Ireland should take a lead role in addressing such issues, citing the presence of major technology companies in the State.
“We are a country that prides itself as being at the cutting edge of tech,” he said.
“Nine of the ten leading tech companies in the world have their European headquarters here in Ireland.”
He said this positioned Ireland to develop responses to online harms without relying on other jurisdictions.
“We should be the solution, and be finding the solution, to this hate speech and misinformation on social media,” he said.
“We should not be looking to Europe, the United States or other countries to resolve this problem.”
Conway added that while he did not have a specific proposal, the expertise existed within the country to address the issue.
“I do not have the solution, because I am not a tech expert, but the expertise is in this country, because we have created so much in the tech world over the years,” he said.
“I urge that some sort of a structure or formula be found whereby we can channel the expertise and the experts in technology in this country to find a solution to these awful problems.”
Responding in the chamber, Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne acknowledged the concerns raised and pointed to previous legislative efforts in the area.
“Senator Martin Conway referred to vaccines, hate speech and misinformation,” he said.
“He commented on the appalling commentary about our colleague Senator Flynn on social media recently.”
Kyne noted that earlier attempts had been made to introduce legislation dealing with hate speech, and suggested further engagement with the Government on the issue.
“There were previous attempts made regarding hate speech,” he said.
“I am not sure whether there are any plans in that regard, but the Senator may wish to table a Commencement matter to ask the Minister for justice about his legislative plans.”
He added that the issue continued to be examined at committee level, while stressing the importance of balancing competing considerations.
“The committee on media is regularly involved in discussing this difficult area,” he said.
“Free speech is important. Hate speech and misinformation have to be challenged.”
The debate follows significant online reaction to comments made by Senator Eileen Flynn in the Seanad last week, where she said she was “terrified” to attend protests where the Irish “tri-flag” was present, citing concerns about alleged “far-right” involvement and hostility towards migrants.
Clips of Flynn’s remarks circulated widely on social media, prompting a high volume of responses and criticism.
Conway himself has previously been the subject of controversy. As reported by the Irish Independent earlier this month, he resigned from Fine Gael following an incident in Dublin where he was found intoxicated, and had also been the subject of a prior internal party inquiry relating to an earlier allegation of inappropriate behaviour, for which he apologised.
Efforts to legislate for hate speech have proven contentious in recent years. The Government’s proposed bill faced sustained criticism from opponents who raised concerns about its potential impact on freedom of expression.
The legislation was ultimately amended, with provisions relating to hate speech dropped, while measures dealing with hate crime were passed in 2024. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has since indicated that there are no current plans to reintroduce the speech-related elements.