Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

We cannot just label all defence as some sort of appalling activity or sector. It is necessary for the protection of citizens.

I will come back to Deputy Brabazon on the timelines around the national security strategy. It is important. My Department is co-ordinating this. There is a national security secretariat in my Department. It is now putting together inputs from all the different Departments, including the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Defence; justice; and environment, climate and communications; An Garda Síochána; the National Cyber Security Centre; and the Defence Forces. We are going ahead with the smaller radar.

In response to Deputy Ó Murchú, I have made my comments in terms of Israel. That is more in the foreign policy domain and will not come under the national security council or committee. I take the Deputy's point that cyber threats are a big concern. The National Cyber Security Centre is now under the Minister for justice, as I said. I take Deputy Ward's point that there is a need to bring this to a conclusion and to develop and publish the strategy.

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