The Dáil has debated the Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026, which People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said would "turn off toxic social media algorithms".
Mr Murphy said these algorithms are "force feeding toxic content at our young people".
He stressed the house had a choice on whether social media companies or the health and safety of children came first.
"This is the bill that will significantly deal with the toxic content," he said.
He said it would turn off the recommender algorithms for people under 18 and turn them off by default for those over 18.
"Adults can choose to opt in if the algorithm is explained in a transparent way," he said.
The Government said it would not give the bill a second reading on the grounds that the issues raised "are already being addressed by Coimisiún na Meán".
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan said Ireland is working closely with "our European colleagues" to "ensure a coherent, regulatory framework that protects all consumers and vulnerable groups".
Mr O'Donovan said online safety would be "front and centre" during Ireland's EU presidency.
Mr Murphy said the Government "didn't quite have the neck to vote it down because you know this is popular, you know this is supported by backbench TDs".
"Instead, you try to pretend to people that we are dealing with the issue. You're not dealing with this issue," he said.
He said the bill would turn social media "back to what it was supposed to be - a space where we can connect with our friends, build communities and so on".
Social media has instead created a "major public health challenge", he said.
He accused the Government of opposing a measure to protect the safety of children due to social media companies having "massive political sway".
Companies are interested in "maximising the amount of time that eyeballs are on the screen so they can maximise the amount of advertising that they can sell", he said.
Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said his party welcomed the bill and the discussion around it.
He said Ireland should take a leadership position in "making sure that these firms respect the rights of individuals".
"Recommender algorithms are vehicles for the most extreme, toxic content available on the internet," he said.
The bill will be voted on later this evening.
