Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

He might have a dedicated team, but if we want a whole-of-Government approach, it is important it comes from the Department of Defence because to have it in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment means the focus is more on addressing a technology issue rather than a national security issue. With regard to proactive cyberprotection, deterrents and cyberthreats, Ireland's development remains immature or non-existent. The Defence Forces should develop a cyberdefence team to protect the Irish economy and society. Cybersecurity is not being taken seriously by the Government because it is in the wrong Department. The Minister of State should look at the departmental structure and have it taken into the Department of Defence.

The Department of Defence has seconded people to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment but the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General revealed serious difficulties with this. We are at an immature level of development with regard to cybersecurity. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has many responsibilities. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General makes clear there is no strategic direction. The oversight body does not meet and the Government's objectives are not being driven with regard to performance in this area. The Department of Defence should take ownership and control of this so it can develop a proper whole-of-Government response to the area of cybersecurity as it becomes a serious national threat. It would compromise foreign direct investment if our national infrastructure were to be seriously undermined and there were to be an attack. Then we would have proper accountability as to why this was not progressed in the previous months.

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