Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Taoiseach knows, the issue of hacking has hit the news recently as a result of allegations that the Russian Government has in some way hacked into the American Democratic Party computer system. The outgoing President has initiated an investigation into this. We read that more recently, in the past few months, there was a theft of millions from Tesco Bank in Britain, so there are a number of issues of concern in this regard. As I understand it, websites of different Government Departments have come under cyber-attacks in the past 12 months and there has been disruption of services, both for workers in the public service and for citizens who avail of online services. We now live in a world in which citizens rely on online services to apply for grants and medical cards, to complete tax returns and to do much more besides, so there is a possibility of personal information being accessed as this continues. As I understand it, the HSE, the CSO, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Courts Service and the Taoiseach's other Department, the Department of Defence, have all been targeted. I read that the Oireachtas network has been targeted as well. I tend not to pay an awful lot of heed to what the media reports, but it was reported that the Taoiseach used Gmail for official correspondence and that this was under review. It is also reported that he and five other Cabinet Ministers had personal information, including passwords, stolen by hackers who targeted the LinkedIn website. I do not know whether the Taoiseach wants to clarify any of these issues for the Dáil. Is he satisfied that enough is being done to ensure that Government IT systems are protected? Government policy does not, I understand, ban office holders and staff in the Taoiseach's Department from using non-departmental e-mail services.

Is that the case throughout all other Departments? The Taoiseach said this is being reviewed. If so, will the Taoiseach indicate the status of the review and when it will be concluded? Will we get a report on it in the House?

See this speech in context