Ireland will push for EU-wide rules on the age at which children can access online services when it take over the rotating Council presidency next month.

Ireland is set to lead the Council of the EU starting from 1 July for six months. The priorities were outlined in plans unveiled on Wednesday.

The government said it would advocate for a “decision at EU level on the digital age of majority” and highlight the importance of privacy-preserving age verification.

During a press conference, Micheál Martin, the country’s prime minister, said that one of the presidency’s goal was to see “far greater” protections for children online and that age verification was a “key factor” in this context.

But Ireland also says in its priority overview that it wants to listen to the views of children on online safety.

Online safety for children has become one of the top political priorities across the EU in recent months, with several countries introducing measures, including age restrictions on social media.

Ireland has also made European competitiveness a top priority for its six-month stint at the helm of the Council.

Martin said that Europe needs to pivot towards innovation, especially when it comes to AI, arguing China and the US are well ahead of Europe.

Asked about the presence of many Big Tech companies’ headquarters in Ireland, and whether this could affect the country’s position on digital rules, he said he doesn’t accept the idea that there was a tension.

The Irish Data Protection Commission, which acts as the lead GDPR regulator for many major technology companies with European headquarters in Ireland, has long been criticised by privacy advocates who contend it has failed to adequately enforce the rules.

“Our data protection commission has been very effective” Martin said, adding that Ireland is “just as good at regulating as anybody else”.

(aw)