Electoral Reform Act regarding political advertising and online electoral information
We have had quite a while now without a major election in this country, the last one being in February 2020, but 2024 will be a year of elections, between local, European and directly elected mayoral, as well as a referendum and Lord knows what else. Four years might seem a short timeframe, but there have been profound shifts in that time in how we do politics and elections, particularly enabled by digital technologies. I am thinking of generative AI in particular. Both Sadiq Khan in London and the leader of the Progressive Slovakia party, Michal Šimečka, have fallen foul of deep fakes aimed at denting their political chances directly before elections, and we would be very foolish to think ourselves immune here.
The Electoral Reform Act 2022 has two provisions. Part 4 deals with the regulation of online political advertising and Part 5 with the regulation of electoral process information, online electoral information and manipulative or inauthentic behaviour. Have those Parts been commenced in full? If not, what is the hold-up? It is important we get them commenced.
The Tánaiste
Indeed. As Taoiseach, I was very anxious that those measures would be included in that Bill. I think we can all see, even today and in recent events, the degree to which social media can be distorted with very false information, as we have seen only this week in respect of certain issues arising out of the rioting last Thursday in terms of identification of people and so on. I have just seen clarification statements today. It is quite shocking how such false news can be propagated so quickly. If that happens in the middle of an election, or with a week to go in an election, and disinformation is spread, it could clearly impact the outcome of the election.
I will talk to the Minister. I cannot give the Deputy a direct answer today as to whether those sections have been commenced but I will impress on the Minister the need to commence them as quickly as possible.
