Richard Bruton announced the plans at the Fine Gael think-in. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie Richard Bruton announced the plans at the Fine Gael think-in. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie THE GOVERNMENT IS planning to put pressure on social media companies to make the internet safer.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has previously warned social media companies that the era of self-regulation was over. Bruton echoed these comments over the weekend, adding that “we need this regulatory structure as well as supporting young people to be discerning and have the capacity to be safe on online”. However, Bruton said that the planned legislation, which will put new obligations on social media companies, will not address online porn. “It’s not the top priority,” Bruton said.Bruton declined to offer more clues as to the shape a carbon tax could take in the next Budget.
Bruton said that the government would “be very carefully designing the use of any funds that are generated to protect those who are most exposed, least equipped to deal with it”.A €10 increase in carbon tax has been the figure used since last year. Donohoe included a note in pre-budget submissions last year saying he was “currently minded” to implement a €10 increase on Budget day.