James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for responding to my comments.

I am familiar with the campus at Backweston and have followed its development. Indeed, I was there for the launch of Forensic Science Ireland and the turning of the sod a couple of years ago. It is great site and it is well located. There is a valuable skill set and talent pool in north Kildare. I thank the Minister for the continued investment in the centre.

There are synergies there. As a member of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, I have had opportunity to engage with the Defence Forces. The cybersecurity skill set is one in respect of which we can develop synergies within the State. The Defence Forces may have a role in conjunction with the private sector. We could create talent which would then lend itself to projects such as these. That would be the State helping itself in terms of developing synergies along the way. That is something that could be considered. Is it part of the plans in this regard in the long term?

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