Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Callaghan for her question. She has identified an area of our national security and national defence that needs to be accentuated and taken much more seriously in light of recent developments in the world. A number of weeks ago, we saw cyberattacks on airports throughout Europe. It had a bit of an impact on Ireland, but what they are indicative of is that cybersecurity is extremely essential in our country at present.

Ireland’s second national cybersecurity strategy, for the years 2019 to 2024, set out 20 collaborative measures with the aim of meeting a range of objectives. These included improving the ability of the State to respond to and manage cybersecurity incidents and improving the resilience and security of public sector IT systems to better protect data and the services that our people rely upon. A mid-term review of the strategy published in May 2023 saw the inclusion of a further 18 new measures to be met within its lifetime. An end-of-strategy report is close to completion and I expect to publish it shortly alongside a public consultation.

It is also important to point out that I hope to bring significant legislation before the House in the near future, namely, the national cybersecurity Bill, for which we got permission last year to proceed to drafting. That is going to set out the official statutory basis for our cybersecurity system in Ireland. In a European context, it will seek to transpose the NIS2 directive alongside other national commitments relating to cybersecurity, such as those contained in the programme for Government and the national development plan. Officials in my Department are consulting the National Cyber Security Centre. I had the opportunity to visit the centre recently. It is very advanced in terms of its technology and sophistication. Having met the people there, I am very confident that there are good people in charge of cybersecurity in this country.

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