oireachtas committee on transport and communications, tom hayes td, social media,

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oireachtas committee on transport and communications, tom hayes td, social media,The Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications is to hold a special meeting to examine the role of social media in public debate.While Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail were able to use social media to pump out their lies and half-truths both in the run up to the last general election and referendum on children’s rights, it would appear that the same parties are quietly calling for legislation to regulate those people who comment on their hypocrisy. While the lie of anonymous messages and online bullying are being used to warrant such a ‘special meeting’ the reality is that there is no such thing as an anonymous comment on the internet, all messages can be traced and if someone has an issue with any such comment both the criminal and civil courts are at their disposal.It is well known that parochial and out dated media are also seeking a restraint of the growth of social media as most news stories are now appearing on the internet 24 hours before they are published in the traditional rags. Whatever attempts are made by antiquated politicians and their protectionism the march of new technology will not be stopped in the interest of narrow, semi-literate agendas.Nazi Germany wanted all material burned that did not suit their political agenda or material that challenged their lies and half-truths, now the political class in Ireland want to shut down critique of their often hypocritical position.The committee will investigate whether there is a need for regulation or legislation of public comments.Committee chairman and Fine Gael TD Tom Hayes said it was a very difficult issue but must be dealt with.Online bullying has been referenced in some recent high profile suicides, and Mr Hayes said the committee would be prioritising the matter early in the New Year.He said he would convene a special meeting of the committee to deal with the issue of social media and anonymous comments.Mr Hayes said the committee would then draw up a report examining whether there was a need for regulation or legislation and present the report to Government for a decision.Deputy Hayes said he had also been subjected to vile anonymous messages "like every other TD".He said something must be done and a situation couldn't be allowed to continue whereby people were being subjected to unfair, unjust and vile comments.