Gerard Craughwell (Independent)
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I thank the Chair. Based on what is being said today, I would be interested in Mr. Larkin's, Dr. Byrne's and Mr. Walsh’s comments on Ireland’s significant lack of a security culture and awareness. It may well be based on an insular and naive belief in goodness and the lack of interest in security and defence issues. The lack of interest leads on to an ostrich-type smugness, which has led us to the dangerous situation that Ireland finds itself in today. Security and defence are one and the same thing. I know that Mr. Larkin was a member of the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces provide 40-odd security outputs for the State, of which most politicians and civilians are totally unaware. On the running down the of the Defence Forces and particularly of the two absent seats on the National Cyber Security Centre, NCSC, is that something that we need to address fairly quickly?

I thank Ms Carolan for her submission this morning. She has sent shockwaves through the entire committee, with salaries ranging from €220,000 to €290,000 and bonus payments, with benefits. However, if we take it the head of the-----