Communications Minister Richard Bruton has outlined a plan to help make the internet safer, especially for children.
He has set out his priorities for the coming Dáil term at the Fine Gael Think-In in Co Wexford.
Mr. Bruton is to publish the Heads of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill - which will put new obligations on social media companies.
It will require them to operate Codes of Conduct, overseen by an independent Online Safety Commissioner.
"The new Online Safety Law is another big priority. We need to make the internet safer, especially for children and I am determined that we end the era of self-regulation for social media companies.
"We will be signing the broadband contract over the coming weeks.
"Rural Ireland has been waiting too long to access what is now an essential service.
"We need to start rolling out future-proofed, high-speed broadband to the 1.1 million people in rural Ireland who need it as soon as possible."
