Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Apologies have been received from Deputy Matthews and Senator Buttimer.

The purpose of today's meeting is to discuss national cybersecurity in light of the recent cyberattacks on the HSE and the Department of Health. The meeting brings together international experts in this area. We thank them for accommodating the committee on such short notice. This is an issue which requires detailed and careful attention.

The committee is very conscious of how delicate the situation is. Nevertheless, as a committee we want to deal with it and contribute in real time. That is the purpose of today's meeting.

I welcome the expert witnesses: Mr. Pat Larkin, CEO of Ward Solutions; Mr. Padraic O'Reilly, co-founder and chief product officer with CyberSaint; Ms Bláthnaid Carolan, cybersecurity recruitment expert; Mr. Paul Walsh, chairman of Cyber Ireland; and Dr. Eoin Byrne of Cyber Ireland. All the witnesses are most welcome.

All witnesses are reminded of the longstanding parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. If the statements are defamatory, therefore, in respect of an identifiable person or entity, witnesses will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with all such directions. For witnesses attending remotely, outside of the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege. As such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness physically present does. Witnesses participating in this committee session from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful of their domestic law and how it may apply to the evidence they give.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that in order to participate in public meetings members must be physically present within the confines of the place the Parliament has chosen to sit, namely Leinster House or in the convention centre in Dublin. Regrettably, I will not permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any committee member who attempts to participate from outside of the precincts will, reluctantly, be asked to leave the meeting. Any other Members who attempt to participate from outside the precincts will asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members who are participating via Teams to confirm, prior to making their contributions, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

For the information of anyone watching this meeting online, Oireachtas Members and witnesses are accessing the meeting remotely, with committee members being in the precincts of Leinster House or the convention centre in Dublin. Only I, as Chairman, and the staff essential to the running to the meeting are physically present in the committee room. Due to the unprecedented circumstances of Covid and the large number of people attending the meeting remotely, I ask everyone to bear with us should any technical issues arise. I believe, however, that we are in good hands with Anthony here.

I now call on Mr. Pat Larkin, CEO of Ward Solutions, to make his opening statement. I thank him and all the witnesses for making themselves available.