Limerick City & County Council pass motion committing to using factual and accurate information in discussion and debate

On Monday, 27 January 2025, Limerick City & County Council passed a motion by Social Democrats Councillor Shane Hickey-O’Mara: ‘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 Hickey O’Mara, 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.

The motion is the second to be passed by a local authority following the #CheckTheFacts campaign, with Cork City Council passing a similar motion in November 2024.

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 Hickey O’Mara said: “I’m delighted that this motion, having been seconded by my Social Democrats colleague, Cllr Elisa O’Donovan, passed with the full support of Limerick City & County Council. We’re all aware that there’s been a recent, intentional, relaxation of content moderation by social media platforms and that such a decision allows for disinformation and misinformation to spread, prompting harmful narratives to take root.

“We know that there are some who use disinformation and scapegoating of vulnerable groups for political gain and this has led to increased levels of fear. This motion was officially passed on Holocaust Memorial Day, 27January, a day which stands as a reminder of where unchecked disinformation and misinformation can lead a society.” 

Also commenting was Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To, who said: “This is the second motion passed in a city and county council in Ireland, committing to using factual and accurate information. It sounds obvious, but unfortunately, we have seen in recent years an increase in mis- and disinformation in public debate, as a result of and contributing to a increasingly polarised politics. So, a motion like this has become essential to maintaining a healthy democracy and truth in public life. 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 are fostered and encouraged in an environment of misinformation and disinformation. So we thank Cllr Hickey-O’Mara and all counsellors who voted to pass this motion for their commitment to facts.” 

ENDS