Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Cyber is now the greatest threat across the globe. To have RDF members, irrespective of their bodily shapes, trained up and ready to roll the moment we are the subject of a serious cyberattack. We have to be aware that cyberattacks are happening all day, every day. Has a proposal been put to the Department to set up a cyber group within the Reserve in this regard? We refer to it as the fianna cyber group. This matter has been examined by a number of different groups that meet to discuss cyber issues. Such a cyber group would be a second line of defence within the Reserve that could move into the HSE, for example, or any other organisation in the aftermath of an attack. It would be a massive thing to invest in. Given that we are running a surplus of €11 billion at the moment, this would be a very simple ask.

In the UK there is a strong relationship between the IT industry and the forces. I sat on the board of CompTIA for a number of years. Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Intel and all of these companies had relationships with the Reserve. Would RDFRA see a benefit in that?

My final point relates to the move into apprenticeship from the Reserve. If we go back to cyber and IT, which is Mr. Cooney's area, if we give people basic skills they can move into the industry. If there was a relationship with Microsoft, the Facebook, etc., we would see not only a movement of people into those organisations, but we would see them favourably disposed to allow their people to take the courses Mr. Richardson spoke about. I would love to see a proposal on that put together and brought this committee for it to examine and maybe make a recommendation on.