Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The biggest wake-up call both the country and the people received was probably the HSE attack. There is responsibility, onus and duty of care to everything and everybody thereafter. Thankfully we hear the NCSC staff has been doubled. The budget has been doubled. There is a property now in place and new expertise on board. Another thing Dr. Browne has consistently mentioned since he began is the issue of the sharing of information between the private sector and the State sector and the manner in which NCSC works with its partners across Europe and so forth. He said there is an onus, responsibility and obligation, but there is not authoritative legislation in place to ensure the information that has to be shared is shared. He mentioned new legislation that will flow from and be recommended from the mid-term review. He said there is EU legislation also coming down the track and both should align by the end of the year. Has he been given a commitment and guarantee on the part of Government that there is a gap in the programme to accommodate the primary legislation? As I have said, if the impact and effect of the HSE attack were replicated across other Departments, we would be badly exposed. However, as a committee, it is heartening to hear that the budgets, personnel and staff have been doubled. This is the greatest threat to us as a nation. We naively use applications and think they are great value, but they are great value because we are the product. Governments are a product. Nations are a product. The manner in which warfare is now conducted is far different from what it was previously. The way in which the laws are touted within this area is a very fine line. I do not envy Dr. Browne. We have a lot of catching up and chasing to do. Technology is moving at such a pace. However, from his statements and responses it is clear progress is being made as it should be. I am glad to hear that is the case.