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

The deflection to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, does not wash. If there is an attack here, the Defence Forces will have to be involved. We know that the Defence Forces are unable to monitor their own internal networks on a 24-7 basis. Coupled with the fact that owing to a shortage of personnel in the Defence Forces, it is not possible to second Defence Forces personnel to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in the same way as has been done up to now, this represents a serious threat to Ireland that we need to address. It is a threat to our foreign direct investment and State infrastructure and is a threat that exists in many other democracies across the world.

The Minister of State's suggestion that we are criticising the staff is unfair. The strategic role of the cybersecurity unit in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment was heavily criticised by the Comptroller and Auditor General, who said it lacked a strategic approach. We know that owing to the decline in Defence Forces personnel, there are no staff available for secondment to that unit. Deputy Kehoe, as Minister of State with responsibility for defence, has a responsibility to respond to this 21st century threat. It is not politics; it is a reality. The response needs to be greater than a deflection to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment because this represents a serious threat to us all if it comes to pass.

See this speech in context