Fingal County Council passes motion committing to using factual and accurate information in council discussion and debate  

PRESS RELEASE 

Tuesday, 15 April 2025 

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

On Monday, 14 April 2024, Fingal County Council passed a motion by Councillor Luke Corkery: ‘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 Corkery, 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 Corkery said: “We live in an environment where it has never been easier to spread misinformation and disinformation, whether hitting send on a tweet, sharing a WhatsApp video or speaking in a council chamber. We have seen the impact of this around the world on religious minorities, ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.  

“The real life impacts of this are very serious – and research published last year by Trinity College Dublin shows that there has been a deterioration in the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQI+ young people in Ireland in recent years. This is taking place against the backdrop of a rise of misinformation. We are obligated as a local authority to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for the people to whom we provide services. These conversations must start here at a local level, and I am delighted that my colleagues across the council have, in the passing of this motion, reaffirmed their commitment to ensure fact, truth and fairness underpin our work in this chamber and in our community.”   

Also commenting was Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To, who said: “I wish to express my gratitude to Cllr Corkery for bringing forward this motion as he committed to doing in last year’s 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 Corkery and all Councillors who voted to pass this motion for their commitment to facts.”