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The impact of Social Media on politics and on democratic participation continues to divide opinion. The following report on the use of social media within politics includes the first comprehensive review of the use of social media by Irish political parties, politicians and government bodies. The “Social Media in Politics” report looks at how use of Social Media is impacting politicians and political engagement, both here in Ireland and internationally. It includes: • The tactics used by President Obama and other world leaders and governments to engage with their peoples on Social Media • A detailed analysis on use of Social Media by Irish political parties, politicians, state departments and bodies • Examples and case studies of the positive and negative consequences of democratic participation on Social Media John Twohig, Managing Partner of The Ahain Group, said “Our analysis indicates that many Irish political parties and their leadership are yet to develop an overarching strategy (or party line) when it comes to their Social Media presence, and, as a result, individual members are more often left to their own devices.” For more information, contact The Ahain Group: Email: [email protected]
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Social Business Social Media in Politics
By Niall Devitt
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
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Table of Contents
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Current situation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….. 4
World Leaders on Twitter …………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 8
Ireland ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………. 10
The Other Impact of Social Media …………………………………………………………………………….…………… 21
Social Media and Political Engagement …………………………………………………………………………………. 24
Analysing Social Media for Government ……………………………………………………………………………….. 26
Rebuilding Economies with Social Media ………………………………………………………………………………. 29
Political Revolutions and Social Media ………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………. 31
Appendix A - Irish Politicians Social Media Presence ………………………………………………….…….. 34
Appendix B - Irish Government Departments Social Media Presence .…………..………….…….. 45
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
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Introduction
The impact of Social Media on politics and on democratic participation continues to divide opinion.
During 2011, videos, images and information captured by ordinary people and shared around the world on
Social Media platforms including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter played a significant part in the revolutions
that swept the Middle East.
U.S. President, Barrack Obama, has utilised Social Media effectively to engage voters during his initial 2008
presidential campaign and again during his re-election in 2012.
However other politicians, such as former Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Brian Cowen, have experienced
the negative consequences of Social Media, e.g. when his performance during a radio interview in 2010 went
viral on Twitter and subsequently became an international bad-news story.
In this Paper we look at how Social Media is impacting politicians and political engagement, both here in
Ireland and internationally.
It includes -
The tactics used by President Obama and other world leaders and governments to engage with their
peoples on Social Media
A detailed analysis on use of Social Media by Irish political parties, politicians, state departments and
bodies
Examples and case studies of the positive and negative consequences of democratic participation on
Social Media
Figures given were derived from research and were updated over the past few weeks.
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
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Current Situation
Barrack Obama
Did use of Social Media make a difference to the outcome of the recent US presidential election?
After receiving confirmation of victory, Obama’s Social Media strategist, Laura Olin, uploaded a photo titled
“Four More Years,” This iconic photograph of President Obama hugging his wife Michelle has since become
the symbol of the president’s re-election win.
Olin advises “we knew that people getting campaign messages from their friends, was so much more powerful
than them getting campaign messages directly from us.”
During the election, Obama spent 10 times more on Social Media as his challenger, Mitt Romney.
Obama spent $ 47.0 million
Romney spent $ 4.7 million
On election night
Barrack Obama had:
32,000,000 fans
21,000,000 followers
259,685 views
Mitt Romney had:
12,000,000 fans
1,700,000 followers
29,172 views
60% of voters between the ages of 18-29 voted for Obama and many of these voters got their political news
and information from Social Media.
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The Obama team clearly understood the importance of Social Media and did the better job of using it to his
advantage. In a close race where everything matters, it is reasonable to assume that Obama’s more effective
Social Media strategy was a very significant factor in his successful re-election.
Barack Obama's usage of Social Media in his political campaigns has been widely publicised [1]1.
In the 2008 presidential campaign Barack Obama had more fans on Facebook and more followers on Twitter
than his then rival, John McCain.
Obama's website, barackobama.com, is run by one of the three co-founders of Facebook, Chris Hughes, and it
has been described as a "social network”. Members can create blogs, post photos and form groups. According
to Hughes, during the 2008 campaign:
Over two million accounts were created
200,000 events were organised
400,000 blogs were written
400,000 videos were posted
35,000 volunteer groups were created
$30 million was spent by 70,000 people into their own fundraising webpages
In the final four days of the 2008 campaign, three million phone calls were made through the
website's internet virtual phone
The use of Social Media is reviewed on the following pages.
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_on_social_media
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In 2007, the Obama team used Facebook connect technology to create an interconnection between a user's
account in Obama's official website and the user’s own Facebook account.
In 2008, the Obama presidential campaign spent $643,000 out of the $16 million Internet budget, to
promote his Facebook account.
On June 17, 2008, after Hillary Clinton ended her campaign, the number of followers of Barack Obama's
Facebook account increased to one million.
In addition to the Facebook accounts of Barack and Michelle Obama and Joe Biden, the Obama team
created ten more Facebook accounts for "specific demographics, such as Veterans for Obama, Women for
Obama, and African Americans for Obama.”
Barack Obama's Twitter account (@BarackObama) is his official Twitter account.
It is among the top ten worldwide in both followers and followed and is used for his election efforts
Obama also uses the White House's Twitter account (@WhiteHouse) for his presidential activities
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Although his staff carries out most of his tweeting, Obama became personally active on the account in
June 2011, beginning with the Father's Day message "Being a father is sometimes my hardest but always
my most rewarding job”
Since then, Obama has held public forums in which he fielded questions posted on Twitter
On July 6, 2011, he participated in "Twitter Presents Townhall @ the White House" which was held in the East
Room of the White House and streamed online. The event received over 110,000 #AskObama-hash-tagged
tweets and was moderated by Twitter executive, Jack Dorsey.
On August 29, 2012, Obama got 3.8 million page views after making a surprise half-hour visit to the social
news website Reddit.
Users left 22,000 comments and questions for the President, 10 of which he answered
When asked why Obama logged on to Reddit, one official responded "Because a whole bunch of our
turnout targets were on Reddit"
Obama’s team hoped to reach a largely unaddressed demographic of previously unlikely voters on social
internet boards
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
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World Leaders on Twitter
President Obama is not the only leader to embrace Social Media. According to a survey 2 from the Digital
Policy Council, 75% of the world’s heads of state have a Twitter presence.
A total of 123 world leaders out of 164 countries had accounts on Twitter set up in their personal name or
through an official government office
In 2011, only 69 out of 164 countries had embraced Twitter. The new figures represent a 78% increase in
the number of Heads of State and national governments on Twitter from 2011.
A table showing the Top 10 Heads of State on Twitter, is given overleaf.
2 http://www.digitaldaya.com/admin/modulos/galeria/pdfs/69/156_biqz7730.pdf
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Top 10 Heads of State on Twitter
Photo Click to go to Twitter
Country Description
Barrack Obama
His 2012 re-election campaign broke several Twitter records. Following news that he had been declared the winner, Obama’s account sent out the tweet: “Four more years” along with a photo of himself and the First Lady, which became the most re-tweeted tweet of all time. Throughout the day, more than 31 million election-related tweets were sent out, creating the most tweeted-about event in U.S. political history.
25,742,410
Hugo Chávez
Grew his Twitter account by two million followers during 2012. When he found himself fighting an election campaign from his sick bed in Cuba, Twitter became his main tool for communicating with the electorate.
3,889,149
Abullah Gül
Increased his following by over 2 million people. Following his visit in 2012 to Silicon Valley he tweeted, “This is the first time a Turkish president travels to this region of the U.S. Here is where technology that changes our lives is born”
2,673, 152
Queen Rania
Grew her account by over one million followers in 2012. 2,523,262
Dmitry Medvedev
A fresh entry into the top ten in 2012, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev chooses to tweet in his native language and in English, with separate accounts for each.
1,883,087 489,749
Dilma Rouseff
Remained at spot #6 in 2012. 1,766,742
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
The 7th
most followed leader in 2012. 1,520,540
Juan Manuel Santas
New to the Top 10 and has grown his followers over 1 million since 2011.
1,515,324
Enrique Peña Nieto
Remaining in the top ten in 2012 even though the country elected a brand new leader.
1,453,343
Sheikh Mohammed
Ranked 10th
of the world leaders using Twitte.r 1,410,422
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Ireland
Embracing Social Media
In late 2010, the Irish Government launched an information service and social networking-led internet
platform called MerrionStreet.ie. The idea was to transform Government communications from website and
press release format to a more dynamic web presence that would include:
Photos
Videos
Facebook status updates
Twitter feeds
Web chat
At the time, the team behind the new MerrionStreet.ie presence told Ireland’s technology news portal,
Siliconrepublic3 that they had seen what other nations, like the UK and France, had done in terms of
embracing free Social Media tools and cited Number10.gov.uk as a particular inspiration.
“Control of cost was a prerequisite and we were keen to use available tools like WordPress and Flickr. We
were also comfortable with the use of open source, in the project. We looked at what the White House had
done, what Sarkozy’s people had done and what Downing Street had done and decided to emulate these
approaches.”
But have Irish politicians and government generally embraced Social Media in a meaningful way? We carried
out a detailed analysis to attempt to find out.
3 http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-media/item/16917-irelands-government-reveal
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The November 2012 Ipsos MRBI survey of Social Network usage found that that 56% of the Irish population
over the age of 15, now has a Facebook account.
Irish Political Parties on Facebook
It is perhaps surprising that Sinn Féin top the list with just over 12,500 fans. Next are the two parties in
government, Labour and Fine Gael. The more recently formed United Left Alliance is next; we could not find a
Facebook page for the Irish Socialist Party.
Click on Political Party to go to Facebook page
12,698
7551
7,124
4,338
2,055
Irish people on Facebook
Have a Facebookaccount
Don't have a Facebookaccount
Share of Facebook likes - political parties Sinn Fein
Labour
Fine Gael
Fianna Fail
United Left Alliance
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The Top 10 Irish Politicians on Facebook
The top 10 politicians on Facebook includes two from Sinn Féin, three from Fine Gael, two Fianna Fáil, two
Independents and one from the United Left Alliance party.
Photo Click to go to Twitter
Party Constituency Positions
Luke Flanagan
Roscommon-South Leitrim
Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Member, Committee on the Implementation of Good Friday Agreement
11633
Mary Lou McDonald
Dublin Central Member, Public Accounts Committee
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
10560
Enda Kenny
Mayo Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach 7140
Pat Breen
Clare Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and
Trade 5,031
Dessie Ellis
Dublin North West
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
5472
Niall Collins
Limerick Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
5,248
Michael Lowry
Tipperary
North 5145 friends
Willie O'Dea
Limerick City Member, Committee on Jobs, Social
Protection and Education 5127 friends
Richard Boyd
Barrett Dún Laoghaire
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
5,101 friends
Joe Carey
Clare Member, Committee on Procedure and
Privileges 5,069
Irish politicians of Facebook
Have a Facebookaccount
Don't have a Facebookaccount
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Top 10 Departments, Semi States & Quangos on Facebook
Click on logo to go to Facebook
What are they responsible for?
Organise and administer a blood transfusion service including the processing or supply of blood derivatives or other blood products, and also including
blood group and other tests in relation to specimens of blood received by the Board.
42,340
The RSA mission is simple: to make roads safer for everyone. The current national Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries by
30%. 27,860
The Defence Forces Information Office is responsible for providing accurate and timely information to members of the general public as well as serving and
past members of the Defence Forces.
26,594
Ireland Irish language TV channel 15,508
The Museum’s mission is to foster within society an awareness, understanding and involvement in the visual arts through policies and programmes which are
excellent, innovative and inclusive.
11,500
The National Concert Hall, based in Dublin’s city centre, is rated by performing artists as one of the finest concert halls in Europe and boasts a thrilling line-up of some of the world’s greatest performers both nationally and internationally.
10,823
Act as a link between Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers throughout the world. Their objective is to develop markets for Irish suppliers and to bring the taste of Irish food to more tables
world-wide.
9,988
Shannon Development is a government owned regional development company dedicated to promoting and developing the Shannon Region of
Ireland.
8,776
A confident and ambitious Western Region where excellence, innovation and creativity are rewarded.
7,089
The mission of the Library is to collect, preserve, promote and make accessible the documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland and to contribute
to the provision of access to the larger universe of recorded knowledge. 6,473
Irish departments, semi states and quangos on Facebook
Have a Facebookaccount
Don't have a Facebookaccount
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The number of Irish people with a Twitter account has surged significantly with more than 1 in 5 people now
reporting to have an account with the site - Nov 2012 Ipsos MRBI survey of Social Network4.
Irish Political Parties on Twitter
Sinn Féin is also the most followed Irish political party on Twitter with Labour and then Fianna Fáil coming
next. Ireland’s largest and main party in Government, Fine Gael, would perhaps be disappointed to only
appear at number four. The Socialist party and the United Left Alliance, are fifth and sixth respectively.
Click on Political Party to go to Twitter
13,330
10,389
9,397
7,860
1,843
1,261
4 http://www.ipsosmrbi.com/social-networking-quarterly-survey-november-2012.html
Irish people on Twitter
Have a Twitteraccount
Don't have aTwitter account
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Irish Politicians on Twitter
There are 165 politicians, 129 of which have Twitter accounts.
The Top 10 list on Twitter includes four Independents, three Fine Gael, one Sinn Féin politician and one each
from the Labour and the Socialist parties. The listing of these Top Ten is given overleaf.
Share of Twitter followers - political parties
Sinn Fein
Labour
Fine Gael
Fianna Fail
United Left Alliance
Socialist Party
Irish politicians on Twitter
Have a Twitteraccount
Don't have a Twitteraccount
Irish politicians on Twitter - activity
Have tweetedrecently
Inactive
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
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The Top 10 Irish Politicians on Twitter
Photo Click to go to Twitter
Party Constituency Positions
Shane Ross Dublin South Member, Public Accounts Committee 16363
Enda Kenny
Mayo Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach 13868
Joe Higgins
Dublin West Member, Committee on Finance, Public
Expenditure and Reform 13,865
Luke Flanagan
Roscommon-South Leitrim
Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
11067
Joan Burton
Dublin West Minister, Department of Social Protection 9,136
Simon Coveney
Cork South Central
Minister, Department of Agriculture, the Marine and Food
9,048
Pearse Doherty
Donegal South West
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
8508
Lucinda Creighton
Dublin South East
8,312
Stephen Donnelly
Wicklow Member, Committee on Finance, Public
Expenditure and Reform 7608
Mick Wallace
Wexford Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight
and Petitions Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
7260
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The Top 10 Government Bodies on Twitter
Click on logo to go to Twitter
What are they responsible for?
Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) is the national development agency for the Irish film industry investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports and promotes the Irish film industry and the use of Ireland as a location for international production.
24,653
Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, IDA Ireland (Industrial Development Agency) is responsible for the attraction and development of foreign investment in Ireland.
11,369
Act as a link between Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers throughout the world. Their objective is to develop markets for Irish suppliers and to bring the taste of Irish food to more tables world-wide.
10,588
Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority. Our role is to support the tourism industry and work to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination.
10,069
The Oireachtas (National Parliament) consists of the President and two Houses: Dáil Éireann (the House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (the Senate)
8,861
Ireland’s premier cultural institution and home to the greatest collections of Irish material heritage, culture and natural history in the world.
8,300
The National Concert Hall, based in Dublin’s city centre, is rated by performing artists as one of the finest concert halls in Europe and boasts a thrilling line-up of some of the world’s greatest performers both nationally and internationally.
7,539
Government departments, semi-states and quangos on Twitter
Have a Twitteraccount
Don' have a Twitteraccount
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The National Gallery holds the National Collection of European and Irish fine art.
7,494
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.
7,240
The Museum’s mission is to foster within society an awareness, understanding and involvement in the visual arts through policies and programmes which are excellent, innovative and inclusive.
6,507
YouTube
YouTube remains the second biggest search engine in the world and is extremely popular in Ireland with reports
suggesting anything up to 1,500,000 regular Irish users.
Irish Political Parties on YouTube
Again, Sinn Féin comes out on top with Labour second. Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and United Left Alliance are fourth,
fifth and sixth respectively; we could not find a YouTube channel for the Socialist party.
Click on Political Party to go to YouTube
2,161 subscribers 1,047,390
561 subscribers 508,689
347 subscribers 261,178
340 subscribers 219,975
50 subscribers 9,825
Irish people using YouTube
Using Youtuberegularly
Not using Youtube
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Top 10 Irish Politicians on YouTube
The top 10 Irish politicians on YouTube includes four from Fine Gael, one each from Labour and the Socialist
party, two Independents and two from United Left Alliance.
Photo Click to go to Youtube
Party Constituency Positions
Joe Higgins
Dublin West Member, Committee on Finance, Public
Expenditure and Reform 313 subscribers 137,763 views
Stephen Donnelly
Wicklow Member, Committee on Finance, Public
Expenditure and Reform 13 subscribers 64,490 views
Richard Boyd
Barrett Dún Laoghaire
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
96 Subscribers 28,228 Views
Eric Byrne
Dublin South Central
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and
Trade
12 subscribers 6994 views
Mick Wallace
Wexford Member, Committee on Investigations,
Oversight and Petitions Member, Committee on EU Affairs
10 Subscribers 6486 views
Simon Coveney
Cork South Central
Minister, Department of Agriculture, the Marine and Food
6 subscribers 4,774 views
Share of YouTube views - polictical parties
Sinn Fein
Labour
Fine Gael
Fianna Fail
United Left Alliance
Irish politicians on YouTube
Have a YouTubechannel
Don't Have aYouTube channel
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Ciarán Cannon
Galway East 5 Subscriptions
3,259 Views
Michelle Mulherin
Mayo Member, Committee on Investigations,
Oversight and Petitions 4 subscribers 3248 views
Clare Daly
Dublin North Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
14 subscribers 2693 views
Mary Mitchell
O'Connor
Dún Laoghaire Member, Committee on Jobs, Social
Protection and Education 1 subscriber 2238 views
The Top 10 Government Departments, Semi-States and Quangos on YouTube
Click on logo to go to YouTube
What are they responsible for?
RTE is the national TV and Radio broadcaster.
46,637 subscribers 59,680,291 views
The Defence Forces Information Office is responsible for providing accurate and timely information to members of the general public as well as serving and past
members of the Defence Forces.
1,843 subscribers 1,292,978 views
Ireland’s Irish language TV channel.
392 subscribers 392,636 views
The Irish Greyhound Board - Bord na gCon - is a commercial semi-state body
which is responsible for the control and development of the greyhound industry in the Republic of Ireland.
204 subscribers 258,635 views
The role of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, is to act as a link between Irish food,
drink and horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers throughout the world. Their objective is to develop markets for Irish suppliers and to bring
the taste of Irish food to more tables world-wide.
189 subscribers 127,512 views
Government departments, semi-states and Quangos using YouTube
Have a Youtubeaccount
Don't have aYouTube account
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
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Assessing, collecting and managing taxes and duties that account for over 93% of
Exchequer Revenue.
47 subscribers 116,779 views
The Health and Safety Authority is the national statutory body with responsibility
for enforcing occupational safety and health law, promoting and encouraging accident prevention, and providing information and advice to all companies,
organisations and individuals.
179 subscribers 110,474 views
The Environmental Protection Agency is at the front line of environmental protection and policing.
134 subscribers 83,644 views
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the
development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.
266 subscribers 79,797 views
The RSA mission is simple: to make roads safer for everyone. The current national Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries by 30%.
70 subscribers 74,900 views
The other Impact of Social Media - Some Examples
Shane McEntee
On the 21st
of December 2012, Irish Minister for State and 56-year-old father of three, Shane McEntee,
tragically took his own life. It was later reported in the Irish media, including The Sunday Independent 5
that the Fine Gael TD had been deeply affected by cyber bullying and online abuse.
A former Fine Gael TD in Meath, John Farrelly, now a councillor from Kells, told The Independent that Mr
McEntee was "desperately upset" by a barrage of online abuse that followed comments the late minister had
made in relation to cuts to the Respite Care grant.
Fine Gael TD in Roscommon, Frank Feighan, said: "I feel that there is a frenzy out there and I feel a lot of it is
generated through Social Media." He added: "I think it is something that we all have to contend with. It is an
issue that must stop. I don't mind people having reasoned debate, but this seems to be frenzied, continued
and is causing huge concern not just for politicians, but their families."
This tragedy has naturally resulted in many Irish politicians now calling for stricter sanctions to be brought
against those who use Social Media in an anonymous and/or abusive fashion. However, is increased regulation
the best way to deal with these issues?
Brian Cowen incident Goes Viral On Twitter
Even before the untimely death of Shane McEntee, the experience of Social Media had not been a good one
for many Irish politicians. At 8:50am on Tuesday 14th
September 2010, the Taoiseach of the day - Brian Cowen
- was interviewed by Cathal Mac Coille on RTE radio programme Morning Ireland.
5 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fallout-from-budget-and-cyber-abuse-troubled-late-minister-3334469.html
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During the interview, many people on Twitter, including Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney, questioned the
Taoiseach’s state of mind at the time. Later this interview, and Brian Cowen’s performance during it,
was to became an international news story. Stephen O’Leary of O’Leary Analytics analysed the
fallout and measured the resulting international media interest, just 15 hours after the interview:
Simon Coveney’s initial tweet was re-tweeted (republished word for word) by over 66 other
Twitter accounts
1,738 mentions of Mr Cowen in Social Media sources on the day
Twitter was the most popular Social Media platform with over 1,600 tweets published
457 articles were published by midnight on 14th September, less than 24 hours after the
interview
The coverage appeared in leading international publications including: Reuters; The Wall Street
Journal; The New York Times; The Washington Post; Fox News; The Guardian; The BBC; The
Huffington Post; Yahoo! Finance
Stephen’s advice “The lesson here for all political parties is that digital media is equally critical to
their success or failure as traditional print and broadcast channels. We live in an era of 24/7 news
reporting, where a story can break at any given time during the day and can spread like wildfire due
to the Internet. Companies, organizations, individuals, even governments are increasingly concerned
about what is being said about them in real time. As a result they have to respond quickly because a
story can evolve rapidly” 6
Tweet Causes Dragon to Lose Out in TV Presidential Debate
6 http://olearyanalytics.com/728/the-brian-cowen-interview-the-global-media-response
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In 2011, Former Dragons' Den investor and Irish entrepreneur, Seán Gallagher was hot favourite to
win the Irish presidential election, until a tweet, read out during a live debate RTE television
programme The Frontline, destroyed his chances of becoming president.
[Pic Ref]: http://www.sligotoday.ie
During the debate, Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said he was contacted by an unnamed man who claimed
that Gallagher had invited him to a €5,000-a-head fundraising dinner on behalf of Fianna Fáil in 20087.
A tweet was then sent out from @mcguinness4pres that claimed "The man that Gallagher took the
cheque from will be at a press conference tomorrow"
This tweet was later discovered to be bogus and had come from an unofficial account supporting Martin
McGuinness
However, it still managed to find its way past the producers of the programme, and was mentioned on air
by presenter Pat Kenny, "Sinn Féin say they are going to produce the man who gave you the cheque for
five grand"
Many political analysts believe that Seán Gallagher's reaction on air to that tweet cost him voters and
ultimately, the presidency
An independent report into the programme has since found that that the production team made
mistakes during the debate, including not identifying that the @mcguinness4pres account was a fake.
Internet 'cowards' force Senator to quit Social Media sites
A vicious intimidation campaign against Labour senator Jimmy Harte has forced him to quit Social Media sites.
The final straw came when someone put his home address and personal information online.8
7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUhFdi7iRL0
8 http://www.independent.ie/national-news/internet-cowards-force-senator-to-quit-social-media-sites-3350761.html
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"I've had enough," he said. "I think Social Media have so many advantages if used for the good, but I just see
more and more negative uses and that's why I've decided to close down my accounts."
Mr Harte branded those behind the threats as "cyber-cowards".
Mr Harte said he had spoken to other politicians who (he said) were also considering quitting their online
presence. "This is a serious issue and I think the area of anonymity when posting has to be looked at." he said.
"It's too easy to open an account, carry out this abuse and then move on."
Mr Harte said he was setting up a new website for use as his online presence.
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Social Media and Political Engagement
The collective negative experiences of Irish politicians may have resulted in a fear of Social Media, with many
continuing not to engage.
Is this a sustainable position for them to continue to hold?
A recent survey9 by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project has discovered how Social
Media is now becoming a feature of political and civic engagement for many Americans.
From a survey of 2,253 adults, they discovered that:
66% of Social Media users (39% of all American adults) have employed the platforms to post their
thoughts about civic and political issues, react to others’ postings, press friends to act on issues and vote,
follow candidates, ‘like’ and link to others’ content, and belong to groups formed on social networking
sites.
38% of those who use Social Networking Sites (SNS) or Twitter use those sites to “like” or promote
material related to politics or social issues that others have posted. Liberal Democrats who use Social
Media are particularly likely to use the ‘like’ button—52% of them have done so and 42% of conservative
Republicans have also done so.
35% of Social Media users have used the tools to encourage people to vote. Democrats who are Social
Media users are more likely to have used Social Media to encourage voting—42% have done that
compared with 36% of Republican Social Media users and 31% of Independents.
9 http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Political-Engagement.aspx
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34% of Social Media users have used the tools to post their own thoughts or comments on political and
social issues. Liberal Democrats who use Social Media (42%) and conservative Republicans (41%) are
especially likely to use Social Media this way.
33% of Social Media users have used the tools to re-post content related to political or social issues
originally posted by someone else. Republican Social Media users are more likely to do this on Social
Media—39% have used Social Media to repost content, compared with 34% of Democrats and 31% of
Independents.
31% of Social Media users have used the tools to encourage other people to take action on a political or
social issue that is important to them. Some 36% of Social Media-using Democrats have done this as have
34% of Republicans; this compares to 29% of Independents.
28% of Social Media users have used the tools to post links to political stories or articles for others to
read. Liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans are the most likely to have used Social Media this
way (39% and 34% respectively).
21% of those who use a Social Networking Site or Twitter belong to a group on the SNS that is involved in
political or social issues, or that is working to advance a cause. There are no major differences by ideology
or partisanship when it comes to using Social Media this way.
20% of Social Media users have used the tools to follow elected officials and candidates for office. Some
32% of the conservative Republicans follow officials on Social Media and 27% of liberal Democrats do so.
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Analysing Social Media for Governments
While many countries, cities and government departments now interact with people through Social Media,
few currently use it to collect information and only a tiny number are using Social in an analytical way.
Washington D.C. is one such example10
. Local government in the US capital is now gathering and using real-
time comments made on Twitter, Facebook and online message boards as well as the government's own
website, to grade and motivate the bureaucracies that handle tasks like administrating drivers’ licences,
building permits etc.
Grade.DC.Gov “is a pilot program that enables one to submit comments about certain District agencies
and to view how District residents graded those agencies. The goal is to help better engagement with
government and help government agencies to improve the quality of their services.”
Grades for 10 agencies — including the police and fire departments and the Department of Motor
Vehicles — are available.
“Agencies can see, in one place, the comments gathered by newBrandAnalytics and respond to them through
an online dashboard interface created by the company. That has encouraged officials to interact directly with
the public on Social Networking sites instead of simply issuing news releases.” said Pedro Ribeiro, a spokesman
for Mayor Vincent Gray.
Mr Ribeiro said the system motivates employees with praise as well as complaints. "Before the system
launched, there was a lot of trepidation—folks were worried that all we're going to do is get smacked down,"
he said. "It turned out people were saying nice things, just no one ever noticed it."
10
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424127887324712504578133530033916570-lMyQjAxMTAyMDIwODEyNDgyWj.html
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Rebuilding Economies with Social Media
Iceland continues to experience an economic resurgence since its meltdown in 2008. It opted not to bail out
those businesses that were partly responsible for the crisis and since then, its progressiveness in embracing
modern technology is astounding.
In 2011, Iceland’s Constitutional Council, crowd-sourced their new constitution, turning to Social Media to
help make the process transparent and to collect input from the public11
. The group, which is made up of
ordinary residents, compiled the document online with the help of hundreds of others.
The constitution council posted the first draft in April on its website and then let citizens comment via
a Facebook Page.
The council members were also active on Twitter, and posted videos of themselves on YouTube and put
pictures on Flickr.
"In the aftermath of the financial crisis, we realized that this wasn't just an economic or a financial crisis; it was
also a social, political and judicial crisis." says President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson. "If we were going
to allow the nation to regain its strength and position, it wouldn't be sufficient to deal with it in traditional
economic and financial ways. We needed a different democratic approach."
11
http://mashable.com/2012/03/15/iceland-technology
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Political Revolutions and Social Media
In 2011, revolutions swept the Middle East, from Tunisia, to Egypt, to Syria and beyond. Videos, images and
information captured by civilians and shared on Social Media was viewed and read by people around the
world12
. There can be no doubt that information and communication technologies, in particular Social Media,
played a part in these upheavals.
But questions continue to dog political theorists and social scientists – just how much of a role did the
different media play?
[Pic ref]: http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/5/8/the-real-net-effect-arab-revolutions-and-social-media-harb.html
“While techno-utopians overstate the affordances of new technologies (what these technologies can give us)
and understate the material conditions of their use (e.g., how factors such as gender or economics can affect
access), techno-dystopians do the reverse, misinterpreting a lack of results as the impotence of technology and
also forgetting how shifts within the realm of mediated political communication can be incremental rather
than a seismic in nature.” (Christensen).
The Middle East and North Africa
The Middle East and North Africa region has one of the most youthful populations in the world, with people
under 25 making up between 35-45% of the population in each country.
They make up the majority of Social Media users, including about 17 million Facebook users, 25,000
Twitter accounts and 40,000 active blogs, according to the Arab Advisors Group.
YouTube is extremely popular, with an average of 24 hours of video uploaded from the region every
minute (“MIDDLE EAST”).
12
http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/social_media/review.pdf
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The Dubai School of Government has issued a report indicating that the total number of Facebook users
in the Arab world increased by 78% during 2010, from 11.9 million in January 2010 to 21.3 million in
December 2010 (“Social Media a Catalyst”)
Even China is now getting in on the Act
The rise of Social Media in China has been anything but smooth and tolerant. Both Facebook and Twitter were
gaining a foothold when they were blocked in 200 and this blockage continues to this day, reflecting a clear
unease at letting average Chinese interact on sites that are based outside China and don't have to play by the
country's strict self-censorship rules13
.
An estimated 1 billion Chinese are Social Media users and China has several networks which exceed 100
million active users14
.
QQ, one of China’s oldest Social networks — born in the 90’s as a clone of ICQ and now the primary entry
point for Qzone, a Facebook-style Social network — was designed to work on any phone in China, even
cheap models with 2G plans. Consequently, it’s difficult to find anyone in China without a QQ account. In
July 2012, the company reported 700 million monthly active users on QQ, and 500 million monthly active
users on Qzone.
Most Chinese Social Media activity happens on mobile, QQ is mainly accessed by phone, as is the second
leading network, Twitter-like Sina Weibo, with some 400 million users and 60%+ mobile usage.
13
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/11/09/world/asia/china-social-networking-young/index.html 14 http://www.forbes.com/sites/ciocentral/2012/10/25/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-chinese-social-media
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
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Early signs are strong that Beijing will encourage or at least tolerate the growth of micro-blogging sites
like Sina Weibo, and instant messaging services like Tencent WeChat, which have been allowed to develop
relatively unfettered despite their potential to become breeding grounds for critical public debate over social
issues.
Beijing is quickly realizing these fast-developing Social Media can be an important way to get public feedback
on social issues as China goes through a wide range of growing pains in its transformation from a planned to a
more market-oriented economy. Beijing also understands that social media can be an important tool for
getting out the Communist Party's own message as it tries to show an increasingly restless public it is hearing
their concerns.
According to The 2012 Sina Government Weibo Report (2012年新浪政务微博报告)15
, released by the People
Online Public Monitoring Office (人民网舆情监测室) analysed data from accounts by ministries, public
security organs, traffic police and regulation agencies, Communist Youth League offices and individual civil
servants.
This report highlights the rise of grassroots government micro-blogging with the number of government
accounts on Weibo has now skyrocketed to 60,064 over 20 government ministries. For example –
the Weibo account, @王于京, (now approaching a million followers) of a police officer in Zhejiang
province who uses it to provide useful information to local people
Weibo was used by government agencies to deal with emergency situations; during the Beijing floods
that occurred in July 2012, a number of government accounts in Beijing such as @北京发布, @北京
消防 and @平安北京 posted the latest information such as dangerous areas in the city, traffic
updates and weather forecasts
15
http://www.danwei.com/the-chinese-government-and-social-media
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Conclusion
While debate continues on how governments, leaders and politicians might best engage with citizens on Social
Media sites, research indicates that Social Media will play a role of increasing importance.
This may make some politicians uncomfortable - or even fearful – and, of course, Social Media is not without
risks and potentially negative consequences. Regulation will undoubtedly have a role to play, but developing a
strategy around the education, understanding and participation would appear to be a more sensible place to
start.
Most politicians see value in leveraging Social Media during their election campaigns, but appear less inclined
to participate after they are elected. Politicians that continue to engage are also those that speak about these
tools in a positive, rather than a negative light.
There does not appear to be a Party line when it comes to Social Media nor, our research indicates, is there a
strategy for all the members of particular political parties. This is perhaps the most surprising finding because
lack of an over-arching strategy has consistently been highlighted and proven to be the most significant risk
factor in getting into trouble and in failing to get value on Social Media.
Social Media are now both massively popular and used by an increasing proportion of people. They have
become part of how we communicate, get information and form opinion. They reflect both what is good and
what is bad about our societies. They are not going away!
As those chosen by their people to govern, our leaders and politicians have a duty to participate. Our political
parties and their leadership must prepare and educate their members so that they are up to this task.
The opportunity for politicians is not merely in getting elected or re-elected but in how they choose to listen
to the people and ultimately, in how they govern, in real-time! It is not about the broadcasting of what they
intend to do or what they are going to do but rather, it is about how they actively allow people to participate
in their leadership and in the decisions that they take.
“Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect
their lives. Democracy allows eligible citizens to participate equally—either directly or through elected
representatives—in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and
cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.” -
http://en.wikipedia.org
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Page | 33
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http://www.facebook.com/AhainGroup https://twitter.com/AhainGroup http://www.linkedin.com/company/Ahain-Group
If you would like to talk further about this report or if you would like The Ahain Group to help you along this path please feel free to contact us.
Social Media in Politics www.ahaingroup.com
Page | 34
Appendix A
Irish Politicians Social Media Presence
Photo Name Party Constituency Positions
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
SF Cavan-
Monaghan Member, Committee on Health and Children
Commun-ity page
75
Éamon Ó Cuív FF Galway West Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture
2 Pages 39 Likes 26 Likes
1,641
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
FF Kildare South
Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
1,850 Friends
154
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
LAB Dublin North
Central
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education
663 Likes 4,195
4 subs
2,195 views
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
SF Dublin South
Central
Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions
3,145 Friends
1,195 subs 2,094
Gerry Adams SF Louth 5,945 Likes
2,369 (Never
Tweeted)
James Bannon FG Longford-
Westmeath Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 707
friends 463
0 subs
371 Views
Seán Barrett CC Dún Laoghaire Ceann Comhairle 366
cy FG Cork East Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 2,638
Friends 676
Richard Boyd Barrett
PBP Dún Laoghaire Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 5,101
Friends 3,106
96 Subs
28,228 Views
Pat Breen FG Clare Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade 5,031 1,012
8 Subs
567 Views
Tommy Broughan
LAB Dublin North
East Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform
John Browne FF Wexford Member, Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil
Éireann Member, Joint Administration Committee
41 Likes
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Richard Bruton FG Dublin North
Central Minister, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and
Innovation 1,559 Likes
1,997
3 subs
150 views
Joan Burton LAB Dublin West Minister, Department of Social Protection 2,205 Likes
9,136
Ray Butler FG Meath West Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education
Jerry Buttimer FG Cork South
Central Member, Committee on Health and Children
Member, Joint Administration Committee 897 Likes 3,765
Catherine Byrne
FG Dublin South
Central Member, Committee on Health and Children
620 Friends
0 subs
166 views
Eric Byrne LAB Dublin South
Central Member, Joint Administration Committee
Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade 731
Friends 1,051
12 subs
6994 views
Dara Calleary FF Mayo Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions
3,245 Friends
2,251
Ciarán Cannon FG Galway East 2,075
Friends 1,419
5 Subs
3,259 Views
Joe Carey FG Clare Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges 5,069 Likes
1,774
Paudie Coffey FG Waterford Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 1,335
0 Subs
277 Views
Áine Collins FG Cork North
West
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education
1,840 Friends
Joan Collins PBP Dublin South
Central
Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education
Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions
1,069
2 subs
294 views
Niall Collins FF Limerick Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 5,248 Likes
570
Michael Colreavy
SF Sligo-North
Leitrim
Member, Committee on Health and Children Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 334 Likes 499
Michael Conaghan
LAB Dublin South
Central
Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education
Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions
Seán Conlan FG Cavan-
Monaghan Member, Committee on the Implementation of the
Good Friday Agreement
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Paul Connaughton
FG Galway East Member, Public Accounts Committee 1,525
Friends 152
Followers
Ciara Conway LAB Waterford Member, Committee on Health and Children Friends Hidden
2,659
Noel Coonan FG Tipperary
North Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht Friends Hidden
866
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
FG Laois-Offaly Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 1,929
Friends n/a
0 Subs
162 views
Joe Costello LAB Dublin Central Member, Committee on European Union Affairs 285 Likes 2,119
Simon Coveney FG Cork South
Central Minister, Department of Agriculture, the Marine and
Food 1,093 Likes
9,048
6 subs
4,774 views
Barry Cowen FF Laois-Offaly Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 153 Likes
Michael Creed FG Cork North
West
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
461 Friends
219
Lucinda Creighton
FG Dublin South
East
1,753 Friends
8,312
2 subs
385 views
Seán Crowe SF Dublin South
West
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education
1,821 friends
0 subs
52 views
Clare Daly SOC Dublin North Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 1129 2197
14 subscrib
ers 2693 views
Jim Daly FG Cork South
West Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 415
John Deasy FG Waterford Member, Public Accounts Committee
Jimmy Deenihan
FG Kerry North-
West Limerick Minister, Department of Arts, Heritage and the
Gaeltacht 372
Pat Deering FG Carlow-Kilkenny
Member, Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture
1318 friends
271
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Pearse Doherty SF Donegal South
West Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 4995
friends 8508
Regina Doherty FG Meath East Member, Committee on the Implementation of the
Good Friday Agreement Member, Committee on Health and Children
2053 friends
943
Stephen Donnelly
IND Wicklow Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 3044 7608
13 subs
64,490 views
Paschal Donohoe
FG Dublin Central Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
Member, Public Accounts Committee 395 3525
Timmy Dooley FF Clare Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
10 231
Robert Dowds LAB Dublin Mid
West Member, Committee on Health and Children
270 likes 1331
friends
924 173
Andrew Doyle FG Wicklow Member, Joint Administration Committee
Member, Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture
5020 543
Bernard Durkan FG Kildare North Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade 18 584
Dessie Ellis SF Dublin North
West
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 5472 471
3 subs
1145 views
Damien English FG Meath West Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 1235
Alan Farrell FG Dublin North
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions
Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
1595
1 subs
129 views
Frank Feighan FG Roscommon-South Leitrim
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
989
Anne Ferris LAB Wicklow Member, Public Accounts Committee 364 74
Martin Ferris SF Kerry North-
West Limerick
Member, Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
565
Frances Fitzgerald
FG Dublin Mid
West Minister, Department of Children 2199
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Peter Fitzpatrick
FG Louth Member, Committee on Health and Children 3690 135
Charles Flanagan
FG Laois-Offaly Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions 3608 1886
Luke Flanagan IND Roscommon-South Leitrim
Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
11633 11067
Terence Flanagan
FG Dublin North
East Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 499
Seán Fleming FF Laois-Offaly Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 51
Tom Fleming IND Kerry South Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education Member, Joint Administration Committee
226
Eamon Gilmore LAB Dún Laoghaire Minister, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Tánaiste 2970
Noel Grealish IND Galway West 146
Brendan Griffin FG Kerry South Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 542
John Halligan IND Waterford Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 4750 815
Dominic Hannigan
LAB Meath East Member, Committee on the Implementation of the
Good Friday Agreement 1529 likes 2139
Noel Harrington
FG Cork South
West Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 404 likes 987
0 subs
176 views
Simon Harris FG Wicklow Member, Public Accounts Committee 1340 likes 2832
Brian Hayes FG Dublin South
West 1732 likes 1826 11
Tom Hayes FG Tipperary
South Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
Member, Joint Administration Committee 1420
Séamus Healy IND Tipperary
South Member, Committee on Health and Children
4231 friends
237
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Michael Healy-Rae
IND Kerry South Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions
Martin Heydon FG Kildare South Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 963
4 subs
379 views
Joe Higgins SOC Dublin West Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 4912
friends 13,865
313 subs
137,763
views
Phil Hogan FG Carlow-Kilkenny
Minister, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
3560 fans 1377
Brendan Howlin
LAB Wexford Minister, Department of Public Expenditure and
Reform
Heather Humphreys
FG Cavan-
Monaghan
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform
1051 friends
Kevin Humphreys
LAB Dublin South
East
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
Member, Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht
344 likes 1490
1 subs
742 views
Derek Keating FG Dublin Mid
West Member, Committee on Health and Children 500
Colm Keaveney LAB Galway East Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
Member, Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture
3235
Paul Kehoe FG Wexford
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges
Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, Department of An Taoiseach
307 likes 1666
0 subs
284 views
Billy Kelleher FF Cork North
Central Member, Committee on Health and Children
117 friends
417
Alan Kelly LAB Tipperary
North
5052 friends
1688
Enda Kenny FG Mayo Taoiseach, Department of An Taoiseach 7140 13868
Seán Kenny LAB Dublin North
East
Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht
336 friends
439
Séamus Kirk FF Louth Member, Joint Administration Committee 426
friends 229
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Michael Kitt FF Galway East Member, Committee on the Implementation of the
Good Friday Agreement 89 friends
Seán Kyne FG Galway West Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
607 353
1 subs
156 views
Anthony Lawlor FG Kildare North Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 1196
friends 525
1097 views
Michael Lowry IND Tipperary
North
5145 friends
2628
Ciarán Lynch LAB Cork South
Central Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 1193
friends 1970
Kathleen Lynch LAB Cork North
Central 3031 1866
John Lyons LAB Dublin North
West
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges
Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education
1034 1924 1 subs
0 views
Pádraig MacLochlainn
SF Donegal North
East
Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Private 816
5 subs
908 views
1
Eamonn Maloney
LAB Dublin South
West Member, Committee on Health and Children 757
Micheál Martin FF Cork South
Central Leader of the Opposition
5058 friends
4175
Peter Mathews FG Dublin South
Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
327 2643
Michael McCarthy
LAB Cork South
West
Member, Public Accounts Committee Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions 253 910
Charlie McConalogue
FF Donegal North
East
Member, Committee on Health and Children Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions 661 624
Mary Lou McDonald
SF Dublin Central Member, Public Accounts Committee
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
10560 5142
6 subs
741 views
Nicky McFadden
FG Longford-
Westmeath
Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 3100 968
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Dinny McGinley FG Donegal South
West
1980 friends
826
Finian McGrath IND Dublin North
Central Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality 72 273
Mattie McGrath
IND Tipperary
South Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 4693
friends 645
Michael McGrath
FF Cork South
Central
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
Member, Public Accounts Committee Member, Committee on Health and Children
1022 friends
John McGuinness
FF Carlow-Kilkenny
Member, Public Accounts Committee 4016
friends 112
2 subs
361 views
Joe McHugh FG Donegal North
East Member, Committee on the Implementation of the
Good Friday Agreement 38 645
Sandra McLellan
SF Cork East Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 1399
friends
Tony McLoughlin
FG Sligo-North
Leitrim Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 968
friends 64
Michael McNamara
LAB Clare Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 643 140
Olivia Mitchell FG Dublin South
Member, Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann
Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform
581 friends
1335
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
FG Dún Laoghaire Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 1358
friends 1012
1 subs
2238 views
Michael Moynihan
FF Cork North
West Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture
Michelle Mulherin
FG Mayo Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions 2640
friends 1334
4 subs
3248 views
Catherine Murphy
IND Kildare North Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht
857 friends
1334 2
Dara Murphy FG Cork North
Central Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
1403 friends
284
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Eoghan Murphy FG Dublin South
East Member, Public Accounts Committee 2563 2175
2 subs
552 views
3
Gerald Nash LAB Louth Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 3846 1264
0 subs
9 views
Denis Naughten IND Roscommon-South Leitrim
Member, Committee on Health and Children 2882 2212
Dan Neville FG Limerick Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade 1292
friends 706
Derek Nolan LAB Galway West Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions Member, Public Accounts Committee
2251 friends
1167
3 subs
1108 views
Michael Noonan
FG Limerick City Minister, Department of Finance
Patrick Nulty LAB Dublin West Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 1666
Jonathan O'Brien
SF Cork North
Central
Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform
337 friends
1586
Willie O'Dea FF Limerick City Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 5127
friends 2190
Kieran O'Donnell
FG Limerick City Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform Member, Public Accounts Committee
511 friends
631
Patrick O'Donovan
FG Limerick Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 1915 653
Fergus O'Dowd FG Louth 497 2424
John O'Mahony FG Mayo Member, Committee on Communications, Natural
Resources and Agriculture 2670
friends 920
Joe O'Reilly FG Cavan-
Monaghan
Member, Committee on European Union Affairs Member, Committee on the Implementation of the
Good Friday Agreement
2349 friends
515
Jan O'Sullivan LAB Limerick City 2914
friends 2173
Maureen O'Sullivan
IND Dublin Central Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade 244 708
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Willie Penrose LAB Longford-
Westmeath 1071
John Perry FG Sligo-North
Leitrim
2434 friends
563
Ann Phelan LAB Carlow-Kilkenny
Member, Joint Administration Committee Private 336
John Paul Phelan
FG Carlow-Kilkenny
Member, Joint Administration Committee Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions 636 1876
Thomas Pringle IND Donegal South
West
Member, Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann
Member, Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture
466 1341
Ruairi Quinn LAB Dublin South
East Minister, Department of Education and Skills 3299
Pat Rabbitte LAB Dublin South
West Minister, Department of Communications, Energy and
Natural Resources
James Reilly FG Dublin North Minister, Department of Health 543 4054
Michael Ring FG Mayo 476
Shane Ross IND Dublin South Member, Public Accounts Committee 16363
7 subs
1865 views
Brendan Ryan LAB Dublin North Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and
Education 274
928
Alan Shatter FG Dublin South Minister, Department of Justice, Equality and Defence 1589
Seán Sherlock LAB Cork East 1143 4694 0
Róisín Shortall LAB Dublin North
West
Brendan Smith FF Cavan-
Monaghan
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education
22 90
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Arthur Spring LAB Kerry North-
West Limerick Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 567 1051
Emmet Stagg LAB Kildare North Member, Committee on Procedure and Privileges
Brian Stanley SF Laois-Offaly Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht Member, Joint Administration Committee
309
David Stanton FG Cork East Member, Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil
Éireann Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
Private 1076
Peadar Tóibín SF Meath West
Member, Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education
Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions
3781 friends
1101 6
Billy Timmins FG Wicklow Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 4731
friends 715
Robert Troy FF Longford-
Westmeath Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 221 383
Joanna Tuffy LAB Dublin Mid
West
Member, Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Member, Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality 349 1625
Liam Twomey FG Wexford Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 2681
friends 558
Leo Varadkar FG Dublin West Minister, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport 417 1178
Jack Wall LAB Kildare South Member, Joint Administration Committee
Member, Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann
Mick Wallace IND Wexford Member, Committee on Investigations, Oversight and
Petitions Member, Committee on European Union Affairs
4995 friends
7260
10 Subs
6486 views
Brian Walsh FG Galway West Member, Committee on Environment, Transport,
Culture and the Gaeltacht 155 458
Alex White LAB Dublin South Member, Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure
and Reform 589 1237
Appendix B
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Irish Government Departments – Social Media Presence
[Note: Figures given are for the Departments – many Departments have sub-divisions/sections with their own Social Media presence.]
Government Body What are they responsible for?
An Bord Bia
Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, acts as a link between Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers and existing and potential customers throughout the world. Our objective is to develop markets for Irish suppliers and to bring the taste of Irish food to more tables world-wide.
9,988
10,588
189 Subs
127,512 views
An Bord Glas
The Bord Glas Quality Programme involves implementing quality systems which ensure that horticultural produce is produced and handled in line with best practices and procedures, while also fulfilling current regulatory requirements.
An Bord Pleanála
"To play our part as an independent national body in an impartial, efficient and open manner, to ensure that physical development and major infrastructure projects in Ireland respect the principles of sustainable development, including the protection of the environment."
An Chomhairle Ealaíon (The Arts Council)
The Arts Council of Ireland is the Irish government agency for developing the arts. We work in partnership with artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life.
687
4,021
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna
AskAboutIreland is managed by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, supported by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with funding from the Information Society Fund.
258
558
9 subs
792 views
Appeal Commissioners for purposes of Tax Acts
The Appeal Commissioners are responsible for carrying out the statutory duties assigned under the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 and related legislation, principally the hearing of appeals by taxpayers against decisions of the Revenue Commissioners concerning taxes and duties.
Area Development Management Limited
The Area Development Management (Adm.ie) Awards is an annual event honouring Irish individuals and organisations for their amazing achievements within Irish development areas. These awards reward community organisations and Irish businesses for all their hard work over
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the years. Army Pensions Board
The Pensions Board's mission is to support a sustainable pensions system that will provide adequate and reliable pensions for retired and older people and that achieves wide coverage.
Attorney General
The Attorney General is the legal adviser to the Government and is therefore the chief law officer of the State.
Bord Fáilte Éireann
Fáilte Ireland is the National Tourism Development Authority. Our role is to support the tourism industry and work to sustain Ireland as a high-quality and competitive tourism destination.
535
10,069
56 subs 7841 views
Bord na gCon
The Irish Greyhound Board - Bord na gCon - is a commercial semi-state body which is responsible for the control and development of the greyhound industry in the Republic of Ireland.
6,010
204 subs 258,635
views
Blood Transfusion Service Board
Organise and administer a blood transfusion service including the processing or supply of blood derivatives or other blood products, and also including blood group and other tests in relation to specimens of blood received by the Board.
42,340
2787
Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge is the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the whole island of Ireland.
Broadcasting Commission of Ireland
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland was established on 1st October 2009 to regulate content across all broadcasting, assuming the roles previously held by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission (BCC)
390
1031
2 subs 296
views
Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Limited
The National Sports Campus Development Authority (NSCDA) was formally established on 1 January, 2007 under the National Sports Campus Development Authority Act 2006
Censorship of Publications Board
The Censorship of Publications Board is an independent board in Ireland established by law to examine books and periodicals for sale.
Central Statistics Office
"The collection, compilation, extraction and dissemination for statistical purposes of information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions in the State".
5,864 6 subs 1,665
views
Central Fisheries Board
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
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C.E.R.T.
Now part of Failte Ireland.
Chester Beatty Library
The Chester Beatty Library is a public charitable trust established under the will of the late Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, which was granted probate in 1969.
1,863 1,567 14 subs 2,082 views
Chief State Solicitor’s Office
See Attorney General above
Civil Service Commissioners
The Civil Service Commissioners (later the Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners), a commission of three persons charged with determining the standards for entry to the Civil Service of the Government of Saorstát Éireann
Coimisiún Logainmneacha
An Coimisiún Logainmneacha, which was established in 1946, advises on the research of the place-names of Ireland and on providing authoritative Irish forms of those names for official and public use.
Comhairle na Nimheanna
The functions of the Council are to advise the Minister and the Minister for Agriculture and Food in relation to any Regulation made under the Poisons Act, and on any other matter in relation to poisons, their manufacture, storage, transport, distribution, sale or use.
Combat Poverty Agency
Combat Poverty was established under the Combat Poverty Agency Act 1986, which set out our four general functions: policy advice, project support and innovation, research and public education.
Comhairle na nOspidéal
Comhairle na nOspidéal, which is the body appointed to regulate the number and type of consultant appointments and to specify qualifications for these levels.
Commission For Aviation Regulation
The Commission for Aviation Regulation regulates certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland.
Commission for Charitable Donations and Bequests
The Commissioners, who offer their services on a voluntary basis, provide various services for charities. Many of the services are of a judicial or quasi-judicial nature and must be exercised according to the strict rule of law which governs charities.
Commission for Electricity Regulation
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the independent body responsible for overseeing the liberalisation of Ireland's energy sector.
Competition
The Competition Authority is an
262
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Authority independent statutory body that enforces Irish and European competition law.
Comptroller and Auditor General
To provide independent assurance that public money is properly managed and spent to good effect and to contribute to improvements in public administration.
Courts Service To manage the courts, support the judiciary and provide a high-quality and professional service to all users of the courts.
229
Defence Forces
The Defence Forces Information Office is responsible for providing accurate and timely information to members of the general public as well as serving and past members of the Defence Forces.
26,594
4,973
1,843 subs
1,292,978
views
Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
The Irish Government's commitment to the agri-food sector remains strong. In the Supplementary Estimate for 2012, the Exchequer is providing €1.339 billion for agriculture for agriculture, fisheries and food and public expenditure will amount to over €2.639 billion.
Dept of Community Rural,& Gaeltacht Affairs
The Department oversees the conservation, preservation, protection and presentation of Ireland's heritage and cultural assets. The Department also seeks to promote the Irish language and to support the Gaeltacht.
Dept of Defence
The Department has civil and military elements and was established by the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924, which assigns to it “the administration and business of the raising, training, organisation, maintenance, equipment, management, discipline, regulation and control according to law of the military defence forces”.
Dept of Education & Science
The Department of Education and Skills is a department of the Irish state with responsibility for education and training. The mission of the Department is to provide high-quality education.
Dept of Enterprise, Trade & Employment
To support the creation of good jobs by promoting the development of a competitive business environment in which enterprises will operate to high standards and grow in sustainable markets.
1,729
Dept of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government
Our Statement of Strategy 2011-2014 sets out the key objectives and strategies that will be pursued by the Department in its core functional areas of environment, and planning, housing, local government, meteorological services and corporate services over the coming three years.
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Dept of Finance To support the achievement of the Government's economic and social objectives by promoting a sound, sustainable economic and budgetary environment, continuing improvements in the efficiency of public services, and an effective framework for financial services.
Dept of Foreign Affairs
The DFAT Strategy Statement sets out the foreign policy objectives, as defined by the Government, to be pursued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the next three years.
19 Twitter accounts Main acc @dfatirl
not working at
present
Dept of Health & Children
The Department of Health's statutory role is to support the Minister in the formulation and evaluation of policies for the health services. It also has a role in the strategic planning of health services. This is carried out in conjunction with the Health Services Executive, voluntary service providers, Government Departments and other interested parties.
1 like
Dept of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Our collective mission is to help make Ireland a safer and fairer place in which to live and work, visit and do business.
Dept of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has responsibility for the Telecommunications, Broadcasting and Energy sectors. It regulates, protects and develops the Natural Resources of Ireland.
Dept of Transport
To ensure that the transport, tourism and sport sectors make the greatest possible contribution to economic recovery, fiscal consolidation, job creation and social development.
Dept of Social & Family Affairs
The Mission Statement of the Department is to promote active participation in society through the provision of income supports, employment services and other services.
Dept of the Taoiseach
To provide the Government, Taoiseach and Ministers of State with the support, policy advice and information necessary for the effective conduct of Government.
Dept of Arts Sport &Tourism
This Department is responsible for the formulation of national policies in connection with arts, sports and tourism. The agencies under its aegis are responsible for the implementation of these policies.
Director of Consumer Affairs
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) is a statutory body established by the Irish Government in May 2007 to enforce consumer law and promote consumer rights.
6,114
Director of Public The Director's Office aims to operate to the
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Prosecutions highest professional standards and to treat all those with whom it has dealings fairly, equally, and consistently without any wrongful discrimination.
Dublin Transportation Office
Eastern Regional Fisheries Board
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets.
2,633
7,240
266 subs 79,797 views
Environmental Protection Agency
The Environmental Protection Agency is at the front line of environmental protection and policing.
1,184
134 subs 83,644 views
Equality Authority
The Equality Authority is an independent body set up under the Employment Equality Act 1998. It was established on 18th October 1999.
European Regional Development Fund Financial Control Unit
ERDF oversees the spending of EU funds in Ireland.
Fàs
Fás International Consultancy Limited
Fire Services Council
The function of the Council is to provide courses of instruction for the fire service personnel and other persons and to advise the Minister in relation to the education and training needs of fire service personnel.
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
The principal function of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is to take all reasonable steps to ensure that food produced, distributed or marketed in the State meets the highest standards of food safety and hygiene reasonably available.
1,405
301
23 subs 8,958 views
Forfàs
Forfás is Ireland’s policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation.
147
1,488
Heritage Council
The Heritage Council’s vision is that the value of our heritage is enjoyed, managed and protected for the vital contribution that it makes to our identity, well-being and future.
1,663
677
18 sub 4,224 views
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Health & Safety Authority
The Health and Safety Authority is the national statutory body with responsibility for enforcing occupational safety and health law, promoting and encouraging accident prevention, and providing information and advice to all companies, organisations and individuals.
3,523 892 179 subs
110,474 views
Horse Racing Ireland
The HRI mission statement is "to develop and promote Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horse racing and breeding". Horse Racing Ireland is responsible for racing in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland.
658
1,623
272 subs 15,567 views
Housing Finance Agency
Established as a state-owned company in 1982, the Housing Finance Agency provides loan finance to local authorities and voluntary housing bodies for housing and related purposes.
IDA Ireland
Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, IDA Ireland (Industrial Development Agency) is responsible for the attraction and development of foreign investment in Ireland.
11,369
115 subs 24,966 views
Information Commissioner
The Office of the Information Commissioner reviews decisions made by public bodies in relation to Freedom of Information requests. Our job is to review such decisions in a fair and independent way.
Information Society Commission
Website no longer available
Ireland-US Commission for Educational Exchange
A bilateral agreement between Ireland and the United States was signed in 1988 and a statutory public body, The Ireland - United States Commission for Educational Exchange (The Fulbright Commission), was established in 1992.
449 857 9 subs 1,738 views
Irish Film Board Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) is the national development agency for the Irish film industry investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports and promotes the Irish film industry and the use of Ireland as a location for international production.
5,593 24,653 79 subs 14,915 views
Irish Manuscripts Commission
Since 1928, when the Commission was established by the Irish Government, scholarship and learning have expanded beyond anything that could have been conceived at the time. The Commission has played a significant role in this process by publishing to the highest scholarly standard, editions, calendars and lists of primary materials.
77
Irish Medicines Board
The mission of the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) is 'to protect and enhance public and animal health through the regulation of medicines, medical devices and healthcare products'.
The Irish Museum of The Museum’s mission is to foster within society 11,500 6,507
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Modern Art an awareness, understanding and involvement in the visual arts through policies and programmes which are excellent, innovative and inclusive.
Irish National Stud Company
The Irish National Stud belongs to the people of Ireland but prides itself on being enjoyed and appreciated by visitors from all parts of the globe.
2,448 2,538 4 subs 16,000+
views
Irish Sports Council The Irish Sports Council plans, leads and co-ordinate the sustainable development of competitive and recreational sport in Ireland.
4 accounts 4,543 total
likes
2,297 Yes but not stats
Irish Water Safety Association
Did you know that on average 150 people drown in Ireland each year? Most of these tragic deaths happen inland, in rivers and lakes, on farms and in and around homes and these accidents are preventable.
1,088 114
Labour Relations Commission
We work with employers and employees to develop and improve good employment relations practices and procedures in their workplaces.
Land Registry The Authority is a statutory body whose members are representative of the main users and consumers of property registration services. The PRA replaced the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the "registering authority" in relation to property registration in Ireland. Frank Treacy is the Interim Chief Executive of the Authority.
Legal Aid Board The legal Aid Board is a statutory body established under the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995. The functions of the Board are: To provide legal aid and legal advice in civil cases (i.e., non-criminal cases) to people who meet the criteria and to provide information about its services.
Local Appointments Commissioners
The Public Appointments Service, formerly the Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners, is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Civil Service. We also provide recruitment and consultancy services to local authorities, the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána and other public bodies.
1,313 102
Local Government Computer Services Board
The LGMA/LGCSB will be a national centre of excellence providing, procuring and coordinating a range of service supports, required in the local government sector, which are most appropriately and efficiently co-ordinated and at time delivered at national level.
Marine Institute The Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for Marine Research, Technology Development and Innovation (RTDI).
118
National Archives Occupying a key position in the cultural and
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intellectual life of the nation, the National Archives holds the records of the modern Irish State which document its historical evolution and the creation of our national identity.
National Archives Advisory Council
See above
National Centre For Partnership and Performance
The National Centre for Partnership & Performance (NCPP) was established by Government in 2001 to promote and facilitate partnership-led change and innovation in Ireland’s workplaces.
National Concert Hall The National Concert Hall, based in Dublin’s city centre, is rated by performing artists as one of the finest concert halls in Europe and boasts a thrilling line-up of some of the world’s greatest performers both nationally and internationally.
10,823 7,539 65 subs 54,270 views
National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism
In Ireland a National Coordinating Committee of government departments/agencies and non government organisations was established by the Department of Equality and Law Reform.
National Dairy Council The NDC plays a vital role in driving a sustainable dairy industry in Ireland and in educating consumers on the role of dairy in their lifestyles.
5,681 183
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment
The mission is to advise the Minister for Education and Skills on curriculum and assessment from early childhood to the end of second level, engage with learners, teachers, practitioners, parents and others to support innovation in schools and other educational settings.
729
National Disability Authority
The National Disability Authority is the independent state body providing expert advice on disability policy and practice to the Minister, and promoting Universal Design in Ireland.
12 Subs 4,281
views
National Drugs Strategy Team
Government policy is over seen by the National Drugs Strategy Team, premised on the recognition that drug misuse is a complex problem, requiring a multidisciplinary response across a range of government agencies, non-governmental organisations, professionals and communities.
National Economic and Social Council
The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) advises the Taoiseach on strategic issues for Ireland’s economic and social development.
96
National Economic and Social Fourm
Part of the NESC above
National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery holds the National Collection of European and Irish fine art.
4,026 7,494
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National Library of Ireland
The mission of the Library is to collect, preserve, promote and make accessible the documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland and to contribute to the provision of access to the larger universe of recorded knowledge.
6,473 5,707 28 subs
90 views
National Milk Agency The National Milk Agency was established under the Milk (Regulation of Supply) Act, 1994 for the purposes of maintaining an adequate supply of liquid milk within the State.
National Museum of Ireland
Welcome to Ireland’s premier cultural institution and home to the greatest collections of Irish material heritage, culture and natural history in the world. Whether online or in person, we hope your experience is engaging and inspiring.
5,079 8,300
National Roads Authority
The Authority's primary function, under the Roads Act 1993, is to secure the provision of a safe and efficient network of National roads.
1,011
National Safety Council
The RSA mission is simple: to make roads safer for everyone. The current national Road Safety Strategy aims to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries by 30%.
27,860 1,721 70 subs 74,900 views
National Social Work Qualifications Board
Our team members would work in collaboration with your agency to undertake tasks and provide up to date reports enabling you to deliver an ongoing package of care to your clients.
National Standards Authority of Ireland
NSAI enables Ireland to effect best international standards across all business practices and protects Irish consumers by setting regulatory standards and enforcing measurement accuracy.
12 subs 6,074
National Statistics Board
The National Statistics Board is responsible to Government for developing its statistical strategy. This responsibility includes the setting of priorities for the compilation and development of official statistics in Ireland and guiding the strategic direction of the Central Statistics Office.
NDP - CSF Evaluation Unit
NDP/CSF/ Evaluation Unit/Information Office
NDP - CSF Information Office
As above
NDP - CSF Information Technology Unit
As above
Northern Regional Fisheries Board
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
North Western Regional Fisheries
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for
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Board the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
The mission of the office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is to improve the compliance environment for corporate activity in the Irish economy.
96 223
Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation
ComReg is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the electronic communications sector (telecommunications, radio communications and broadcasting transmission) and the postal sector.
Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas
The Oireachtas (National Parliament) consists of the President and two Houses: Dáil Éireann (the House of Representatives) and Seanad Éireann (the Senate)
1,684
8,861
99 subs 30,911 views
Office of Public Works
Our customers are Government, other Departments, Offices and Agencies and, ultimately, the public.
Official Censor of Films
IFCO, a statutory body first established in 1923, is responsible for examining and certifying all cinema films and videos/DVDs distributed in Ireland.
Ombudsman The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints from members of the public who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies.
584
Ordnance Survey To maintain and develop the underlying physical infrastructure to support mapping and mapping applications.
1,579 279
Patents Office
"To provide an efficient and effective system of industrial property protection that will encourage technological progress and promote enterprise through the implementation by the Office of the relevant legislation".
Pensions Board The Pensions Board's mission is to support a sustainable pensions system that will provide adequate and reliable pensions for retired and older people and that achieves wide coverage
Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board
See HSE
Radio Telefís Éireann RTE is the national TV and Radio broadcaster 20+ Facebook pages for various shows
7+ Twitter accounts
46,637 subs
59,680,291 views
Railway Procurement Agency
Secure the provision of, or to provide, such light railway and metro infrastructure as may be
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determined from time to time by the Minister for Transport
Registrar of Friendly Societies
See Freedom of Information website
Registry of Deeds The Registry of Deeds is located in Henrietta Street, Dublin, Ireland and is a reposity of records of wills, land transactions in Ireland and other deeds from 1709.
Revenue Commissioners
Assess, collect and manage taxes and duties for over 93% of Exchequer Revenue
781 47 subs 116,779
views
RTE Commercial Enterprises Limited
See RTE
RTE Music Limited
See RTE
Seirbhísí na Gaeilge Teoranta (TG4)
Ireland Irish language TV channel 15,508 4,937 392 subs 392,636 views
Shannon Free Airport Development Ltd
Shannon Development is a government owned regional development company dedicated to promoting and developing the Shannon Region of Ireland.
8,776
Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
Social Welfare Tribunal
See Dept of Social and Family Affairs
Social Welfare Appeals Office
See Dept of Social and Family Affairs
Southern Regional Fisheries Board
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
South Western Regional Fisheries Board
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
Standards in Public Office Commission
Its functions include supervising the disclosure of interests and compliance with tax clearance requirements, the disclosure of donations and election expenditure and the expenditure of state funding received by political parties.
State Laboratory The State Laboratory was established in 1924 to provide an analytical and advisory service to the newly formed Irish Government
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Teagasc Teagasc is the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland.
6,366 4 accounts 3,515
103 Subs 50,677 views
The Agency For Personal Services Overseas
The Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) is an Irish government agency which was set up to promote temporary personal service by people from Ireland in the developing world.
Ùdaràs na Gaeltachta Údarás na Gaeltachta is the regional authority responsible for the economic,social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht
365 830 708 Subs 30,725 views
Valuation Office The Valuation Office is the State property valuation agency.
Victim Support
Western Development Commission
A confident and ambitious Western Region where excellence, innovation and creativity are rewarded.
7,089 3,243 14 subs 8912
views
Western Regional Fisheries Board
On July 1st 2010 Inland Fisheries Ireland was formally established as the agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
