Cork City Council first to pass motion committing to using factual and accurate information in council discussion and debate    

– Motion put forward as part of the #CheckTheFacts campaign to address misinformation in public life –  

On Monday, 11 November, Cork City Council passed a motion by Councillor Pádraig Rice, a general election candidate in Cork South Central: ‘That this council commits to using factual and accurate information, based on credible sources, in this council’s discussion and debates.’ 

The motion commits all local representatives to using factual information in their contributions to the Council and in debates.  

The motion was brought forward by Cllr Rice, following an election pledge as part of the #CheckTheFacts campaign by Belong To – LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland, developed by the youth organisation in response to the increase in misinformation and disinformation both in Ireland and internationally.  

313 local election candidates pledged to use factual and accurate information during their election campaign, and during their term if elected as councillor. 131 of the signatories to the pledge were elected to their local council.  

Increase in Hate Crimes in Ireland  

In May 2024, An Garda Síochána published its annual figures on hate crimes in Ireland showing a 12% increase in the number of reported hate crimes and hate-related incidents, while the European Digital Media Observatory reported in 2023 that the LGBTQ+ community is one of the most consistent victims of mis- and disinformation in the European Union.  

Commenting on the motion, Cllr Rice said: “I’m delighted that my motion on mis and disinformation was passed by Cork City Council. We are in an age of misinformation, and Cork City Council is not immune to that. For my part, I intend to call out misinformation, and I have called on my Council colleagues to do the same. I am very glad that the Council Executive has also reaffirmed its commitment to the Public Sector Duty under Article 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act. In so doing, Cork City Council is committing to take steps to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and protect the human rights of staff and service users. This is a very welcome.” 

Also commenting was Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To, who said: “I wish to express my gratitude to Cllr Rice for bringing forward this motion as he committed to doing in the local election campaign. We know that misinformation impacts heavily on marginalised communities in particular and the circulation of misinformation has real-life consequences.  

“The Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland research from Trinity College Dublin, published this year found that 1 in 4 members of Ireland’s LGBTQI+ community have been punched, hit or physically attacked due to being LGBTQI+, and 72% experienced verbal abuse due to being LGBTQI+. These incidents do not happen in isolation. They are fostered in an environment of misinformation and disinformation. So we thank Cllr Rice and all counsellors who voted to pass this motion for their commitment to facts.”   

ENDS  

Notes to editors:  

Contact:  

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: 

• Darragh McGirr, Belong To | 086 259 9369 or darragh@belongto.org  

• Sinead Keane, Belong To | 087 768 0389 or sinead@belongto.org  

Belong To is the national organisation for LGBTQ+ young people in Ireland. Since 2003, Belong To has worked with LGBTQ+ youth to create a society where they are equal, safe, and thriving. Belong To offers advice, information, and crisis counselling for LGBTQ+ youth, and supports LGBTQ+ youth groups across Ireland. Through training, they ensure LGBTQ+ young people are met by professionals, organisations, and services who are educated to meet and support their needs. The organisation also campaigns to ensure policy formation and practice is informed by the voice and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people. www.belongto.org