Michael Healy-Rae has described online trolling as “the worst type of bullying” as he called for greater regulation of social media platforms. 

In an impassioned speech in the Dáil yesterday, the Kerry TD hit out at the “outrageous and hurtful things” online without regard for the feelings of others. 

Deputy Healy-Rae revealed he has even seen images of his late mother being used in a “derogatory way” online. 

“That pushed it over the line for me,” he said. 

“Will the Taoiseach outline what is going to happen to social media platforms, including TikTok and all the others like it, that people can go on to?”

On The Pat Kenny Show, Deputy Healy-Rae said the issue is “not about me and it’s not about the Healy Raes” but the impact it is having on wider society. 

“I think it’s about the new low in Irish politics,” he said. 

“People who think it’s fine to just say things that aren’t factually correct. 

“On your programme [and with] producers of radio shows and television shows, editors of newspapers, there’s an onus and responsibility on them to fact check and to ensure that people are fair and balanced. 

“If you’re live on a radio station, you have to be mindful that you don’t say something about an individual or an organisation that is not true or factually incorrect. 

“But we seem to have a situation now where a person can literally [pick up] a mobile phone, sit in a room in a house, put it up in front of them and they can say whatever they like about anybody.”

'You have to be truthful'

Deputy Healy-Rae said he remained “totally opposed” to the Government’s Hate Crime Bill but said he feared society is currently in a “race to the bottom”. 

“You have to have your own regulation in your own head,” he said. 

“You have to be fair about what you’re saying, you have to be truthful about what you’re saying. 

“But again, when it comes back to politicians, they think they can come along and just because a person is a councillor or Minister or a TD that they’re free game and you can say whatever they like about them and they can’t answer you back. 

“But I am answering you back.”

Deputy Healy-Rae said seeing people online use images of his late parents was “particularly hurtful” and urged the Government to bring social media companies “to task” with greater regulation. 

“Especially when it [involves] blatant lies,” he said. 

“It’s a form of the worst type of bullying and it’s being carried out by people on their platforms.”

In his response to Deputy Healy-Rae in the Dáil yesterday, Taoiseach Simon Harris noted a media regulator had been established and the European Commission is working to establish a new regulatory structure.

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Main image: Michael Healy-Rae on the plinth outside Leinster House, 06-10-2021. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews