Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair. The head of the HSE is paid €420,000 so the €290,000, which Ms Carolan is suggesting, is not extraordinary by any means. However, it is Ms Carolan’s view that we in the public sector have to compete with the private sector for the people we are looking for. We do not pay bonuses in public sector. Does this mean that the base salary will have to be even higher than what she is suggesting?

I thank Mr. Walsh and Dr. Byrne from Cyber Ireland. On the development of cyber at junior certificate level, it has always been a regret of mine that Ruairí Quinn's programme was not embraced when he brought it forward to develop education, even though I was the president of the union that stopped it. I believe that we need to develop this. I am interested in what Dr. Byrne has to say about the apprenticeships, but I think we are going to find ourselves tight on time.

Some countries in Europe, particularly some of the Nordic countries, moved to open source software in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as far as I am aware. If we had open source software that was bespoke for the purposes of each Department, would it be a safer type of platform, rather than purchasing what is commercially available?

Finally, I have some quick points. I assume the National Cyber Security Centre would be probing organisations throughout the country all the time. Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Larkin might want to come in on this. Should there be sanctions against a company that fails, particularly against a semi-State or State organisation? There are stories coming out of the HSE about computer monitors with passwords taped to the monitor, so that people can have quick access. It is not just about sitting in an office on cybersecurity; I would think it is a pro-active move throughout an organisation.

I think Mr. Larkin mentioned foreign direct investment, FDI, risks. Would he care to quantify the type of risk we are exposing ourselves to? We have so many organisations here.

Finally, with respect to a cybersecurity centre, which Department should it be under? Should it be under the Department of Defence or the Department of Justice? Is it fine where it is, under the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications?