John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The recent attack on the Nord Stream pipeline has clearly shown the vulnerabilities of strategically important cables that run through Irish waters. Some three quarters of all cables in the northern hemisphere pass through Irish waters and 97% of global communications, including business operations, financial transactions and Internet traffic, are carried through these cables. They are critically important and it has been suggested that we are the Achilles' heel in the security of these critical data cables. I hear what the Minister is saying about our current position when it comes to providing security. I would say it is wholly inadequate, particularly when we are unable to put our ships to sea due to the current understaffing. Our ships are also currently unable to see what is happening below the surface of the water. If we get to LOA 2, we will have greatly enhanced capabilities to deliver our security needs but there is a deficit at present. What immediate actions are being taken? Are we in discussions with any other EU countries to provide the security that is needed? It is not a case of handing this over to the private sector, as was suggested. We have a serious obligation.

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