X says claims made by McEntee about Dublin riots response were 'inaccurate'

Justice Minister Helen McEntee speaking to the media. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Social media platform X has called on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to clarify “inaccurate” remarks she made about the company in the aftermath of riots in Dublin.

The social media company was responding to comments made by Ms McEntee in the Dáil during Leaders Questions last Wednesday.

She told Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns that a detective in Pearse Street was "actively engaged" with social media companies about their response to the rioting and misinformation.

Ms McEntee said: "She was actively engaged with TikTok, Meta, Instagram and Facebook, and was actively engaged with Twitter or X. She said very clearly that social media companies, in particular TikTok and Meta, were responding and engaging with an Garda and were taking down these vile posts as they come up. 

X was not. It did not engage or fulfil its own community standards.

Ms McEntee said that this was why Coimisiún na Meán — Ireland's media regulator — had been established, "to make sure that these companies are held responsible"

In response, X's Global Governments Affairs team said that the claims were "inaccurate" and that they had already taken action on more than 1,230 pieces of content under their rules.

In a post, it explained: "We met with the Coimisiún na Meán on November 24 to discuss our response. The gardaí did not make any formal requests to us until late Monday 27th November. We responded promptly.

The only appeal we have received from the gardaí relating to the enforcement of our rules is for a single post.

"We hope the Minister will clarify her remarks."

This is inaccurate. We have proactively taken action on more than 1,230 pieces of content under our rules relating to the riots. 

We met with the Coimisiún na Meán on November 24 to discuss our response. The Gardai did not make any formal requests to us until late Monday 27th… https://t.co/nHGMDg45Mu

— Global Government Affairs (@GlobalAffairs) December 4, 2023

A spokesperson for Ms McEntee said: “Minister McEntee was relaying concerns directly raised with her by frontline gardaí who were working on the day of the riots.

“The Minister will continue to engage with An Garda Síochána on these matters, and looks forward to directly engaging with X."

Gardaí said in a statement: "During and after the knife attack and the serious public order incident in Dublin city centre on the 23rd November 2023, An Garda Síochána was in contact with social media companies in relation to certain content. The vast majority removed this content following liaison with An Garda Síochána.

"As detailed in Dáil Éireann by the Minister for Justice, one social media entity has taken down some posts, but not all posts as requested by An Garda Síochána.

"Throughout this situation, An Garda Síochána has received significant assistance from Coimisiún na Meán, and An Garda Síochána is continuing to liaise with Coimisiún na Meán on the matter."

Speaking on her way into Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, hours before she is to face down a motion of no-confidence in the Dáil, Ms McEntee said the motion was a "distraction" and that she was getting on with her work.

Ms McEntee again said the garda response to the riots in Dublin almost two weeks ago was "excellent", "exceptional" and "appropriate".

"I think gardaí responded in a really exceptional way," she said, adding, "...obviously I will receive a further full report from the Garda Commissioner in time".

"There will always be lessons that need to be learned but I certainly think gardaí responded in the most appropriate way possible at the time."