David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Ministers know, I prefer to use my time to ask questions. I join both Ministers, especially the Minister for Health, in stating that those responsible for this attack are utterly contemptible. They have brought many elements of our health services to a standstill at a very critical and crucial time when, because of the Covid pandemic, many elements of healthcare were paused or suspended. The latest National Treatment Purchase Fund figures for wait times showed that just under 900,000 people in this State are on some form of health waiting list. We can see that in the radiology treatment, radiotherapy treatment, laboratory testing, dental, orthodontics, ophthalmology, audiology and other services which are deeply affected. It has an impact on patients. I wish all those who are trying to deal with this issue and get the systems back on track the very best. We all hope that will happen as quickly as possible.

I will put my first questions to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications. I have some questions for the Minister for Health about services. It can be argued that, on cybersecurity, we took our eye off the ball. Many risk assessments over the years pointed out that there was a real difficulty and threat in relation to cybersecurity and a need for more investment. Is it the case that the National Cyber Security Centre only has a budget of €5 million, just 29 staff and the director's post is, as of yet, still not filled?

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