The Minister for Communications has rejected claims the Government is in the pocket of tech giants like Facebook.

It comes after The Observer newspaper reported that former Taoiseach Enda Kenny helped Facebook influence EU data protection laws while in office.

The report cites internal Facebook documents that are set to be used in a California court case against the social network.

The paper said the documents show that as Ireland was preparing to take on the role of the EU Presidency in 2013, Mr Kenny offered to use the “significant influence” of the position to water down the effects of GDPR.

It noted that Mr Kenny made the offer “even though technically Ireland is supposed to remain neutral in this role.”

The report notes that Ireland plays a key role in regulating technology companies because the data protection commissioner here acts for all 28 EU member states.

Data Protection

Speaking as he launched a range of new plans aimed at improving online safety this morning, Communications Minister Richard Bruton said the “evidence is absolutely clear” that Ireland is not in the pockets of large social media companies.

He said Mr Kenny played a “very significant role” in strengthening the ODPC.

“I remember well, the Digital Safety Commission was over a supermarket in Portarlington,” he said.

“It was a very small operation and people felt that it didn’t have the capability to police and take on the responsibility.

“He has dramatically strengthened that office.”

GDPR

He said both the current and former Data Protection Commissioners have denied the reports.

“The two holders of that office and I know both of them have been exemplary and are very highly respected internationally in their capacity

“We have taken our responsibilities very seriously and we have implemented not only EU legislation but have been pioneers in this field.

“So I think whatever perceptions might be sought to be created, I think the reality is very different.”

A spokesperson for Facebook told the Observer that the documents were still under seal in a California court.

It said details had been “cherry-picked and released in violation of a court order” in an effort to “tell one side of a story and omit important context.”

The Office of the Data Protection Commission has said it “categorically” had never been lobbied by Mr Kenny.