Fine Gael Limerick TD and member of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, Patrick O’Donovan, has today (Wednesday) called on the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, to consider the new legislation that is being adopted in New Zealand to combat cyber bulling. The proposed New Zealand law creates a new offence of ‘incitement to commit suicide’.
“The issue of cyber bullying has received considerable attention here over the last year or so, due in no small part to the tragic deaths by suicide of several young people and teenagers. This, of course, isn’t just an Irish problem, it’s an international one, and I think the new law being adopted in New Zealand should be given serious consideration here.
“Under the New Zealand proposals, a new offence of ‘incitement to commit suicide’ is being created, and cyber bullies could face up to three years in prison or significant fines. The legislation is being brought forward by the New Zealand Justice Minister, Judith Collins, in a bid to crack down on bullying via social networking, email, mobile phones and websites.
“I have asked Minister Shatter for his views on the matter and I will also be calling on the Oireachtas Communications Committee, of which I am a member, to consider the issue. The Committee completed a report on cyber bullying earlier this year, and I believe we must continue to pursue the matter. As more and more of our interactions take place online, we must look at ways to protect young people in particular from harassment and abuse.
“I look forward to hearing Minister Shatter’s views on this issue and whether he thinks similar legislation could be feasible here.”
******Deputy O’Donovan has put down a Parliamentary Question to Minister Shatter as follows:
“To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality, in light of the recent announcement of the New Zealand Minister for Justice to introduce a Cyber Bullying Bill which contains provision to create a new offence of ‘incitement to commit suicide’, if the Minister would revert to this deputy on his views in relation to the New Zealand proposal and if he would make a statement on the matter.”