Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding cybersecurity, there can be a number of actors, if you read any formal works on this or research undertaken by companies in the digital space. I was at the Munich security conference two years ago and last year. There was a presentation from Google which was quite informative about the criminal groups and state actors involved. Russia is a key state actor and our immediate threat is Russia, not just in Europe but Ireland as well.

A criminal gang in Russia, the Conti group, was alleged to have been involved in the HSE attack. Our gardaí did fantastic work in following up that investigation and shared their knowledge with the US and other states. This speaks to the global collaboration and co-operation that is absolutely essential to dealing with this. In any assessment of the Ukraine war, Russia is fighting that war on a number of fronts. The level of cyberactivity and cyberattacks has grown exponentially since the beginning of the war against many EU member states. That is the reality and the pattern. It is a dangerous form of warfare because it hits civilians, cripples utilities, and can create enormous damage to people's everyday lives. It would be irresponsible of this country not to participate in projects of this kind. That is the basis on which I am recommending this specific project. It does not have a read across to the situation in the Middle East and the appalling attack on Gaza. We need to be clear about that.