Cork City Council · Ordinary Meeting of Cork City Council · 12 January 2026
A vote on a motion calling on the Government to introduce laws to prevent and address foreign interference in Irish democratic processes, and domestic misinformation and disinformation, with specific offences for anyone who knowingly helps a foreign government or entity to interfere.
Summary written by AI from the minutes. The motion as recorded follows.
That Cork City Council calls on the Government to: 1. Introduce a clear and comprehensive suite of laws to prevent and address foreign interference in Irish democratic processes, including elections, referenda and political decision-making; and domestic misinformation and disinformation, especially with AI; 2. Create specific statutory offences for any person who knowingly enables, facilitates or colludes with a foreign government, foreign state-linked entity, or foreign actor, including non-state organisations or individuals acting on behalf of, or aligned with, groups with malign intent, for the purpose of influencing Irish democracy; 3. Provide for effective sanctions, including criminal penalties, financial penalties and disqualification from public office where appropriate; 4. Strengthen transparency and enforcement, including enhanced disclosure requirements and strengthened investigative and enforcement powers for relevant oversight, regulatory and policing bodies; 5. Ensure that any such measures are proportionate, evidence-based, and fully consistent with Ireland’s obligations under EU law, including the protection of fundamental rights and legitimate democratic participation.
Proposed by A. Deasy; seconded by N. O’Flynn.
The minutes record: As those voting in favour of the amendment were greater than those voting against, An tArdmhéara declared the vote carried, and the amendment to the motion approved.
| Party | Tá | Níl | Staon | Didn't vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Fine Gael | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sinn Féin | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Green Party | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Labour Party | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent Ireland | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| People Before Profit-Solidarity | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Social Democrats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tá, Níl and Staon are the minutes’ for, against and abstained. “Didn’t vote” covers councillors on the council that day whom the minutes don’t list under any option, for any reason. Parties are as of the meeting day.