Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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410. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she expects the national counter disinformation strategy to be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42970/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Future of Media Commission recommended the development of a strategy for a more coordinated whole of Government and society approach to combat the damaging impact of disinformation on Irish society and democracy. The Working Group tasked with developing the Strategy was established in February 2023. It is independently chaired and comprises representatives from Government Departments, public bodies, industry, academia and civil society, with coordination being provided by my Department.

The Working Group has met frequently since its establishment in February 2023 and has heard from a range of experts in different fields related to disinformation, as well as conducting a written public consultation and holding a stakeholder consultation event.

The strategy takes a rights-based approach based on key principles, which include protecting freedom of expression; building resilience through education/media literacy; supporting quality journalism and the provision of reliable public interest information; regulatory enforcement, and research on what does and does not work in combatting this complex problem. Drafting of the strategy is now at an advanced stage and it is intended that it will be finalised as soon as practicable.

More information on the development of the Strategy is available at