Results 20,601-20,620 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Mr. Fitzgerald concluded on a note of optimism but it is one that is certainly couched in a pretty stark warning as to the vulnerability not only of the European Union and member states, but also in respect of Ireland. I welcome Deputy Carthy to his first official meeting of this committee in his capacity of Opposition spokesperson for foreign affairs and defence. He is very welcome.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I will take questions from a number of members in the first instance and then revert to Dr. Colfer and Mr. Fitzgerald.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: We have a number of questions of a diverse range of issues associated with cybersecurity and national security. I will revert to Dr. Colfer and Mr. Fitzgerald and then come back with members starting with Senator Wilson.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Next is Deputy Cowen, followed by a further question from Deputy Cronin, after which we will revert to the witnesses.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Cronin. I will go back at this stage to Dr. Colfer and Mr. FitzGerald on the specific questions that have been raised and then we will have another round.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Thank you. This is very useful. I call Deputy Stanton.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I will ask a couple of questions under three headings, some of which have been referred to, and on others perhaps Dr. Colfer and Mr. FitzGerald would like to leave us with a message: first, Russia; second, what we are doing nationally; and, third, our international role. On the issue of Russia, I note that the IIEA presentation mentions Russia at least 15 times. It is quite unusual in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Hybrid Threats and Threats to the National Infrastructure: Institute of International and European Affairs (9 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: It is nearly 5 o'clock. Unless there are other questions from members, I suggest that we bring matters to a conclusion and move into private session. In doing so, I thank Dr. Colfer and Mr. Fitzgerald for their interesting presentations and an important engagement with members thereafter. I thank them for meeting with the committee and for dealing with the questions, observations and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Apologies have been received from Deputy Carthy, who is currently in the Dáil and will join us later. Apologies have also been received from Senators Ó Donnghaile, Ardagh and Craughwell. Our main agenda item this afternoon is disinformation and hybrid threats, including in the context of the ever-changing landscape of Europe and the consequent geopolitical shifts. I am pleased to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Professor Laffan. We covered a wide range of issues, all of which are of critical importance to Ireland. That is why the three submissions, albeit somewhat different in emphasis, are all of great importance and interest to committee members. I will commence with Deputy Lawless, followed by Deputy Berry, Senator Joe O'Reilly and Deputy Stanton.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I was not aware that Deputy Lawless was going to leave us after putting his questions, but I would ask him to stay until he hears the answers. In that regard, I will not group any questions. I ask our guests to deal now with the three questions Deputy Lawless posed, after which I will come back to Deputy Berry.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I will go to Senator Joe O'Reilly next but I am conscious that Professor Laffan has indicated she may need to leave in the next 15 minutes. If Senator O'Reilly does not mind, I have three brief questions of an EU political nature. We do not often have the opportunity of Professor Laffan sharing her expertise and experience with us. I ask Senator O'Reilly and Deputy Stanton to forgive me...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: We are approaching 5 p.m. I have two brief questions and then I suggest we bring matters to a conclusion. I thank our guests for their papers and their engagement which is very valuable to us in providing insight to the work we are doing. Dr. Culloty’s paper has left us with four insights. On the fourth, she said that “research on disinformation has been hampered by a lack...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Dr. Culloty. I call Ms Heinl.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the witnesses for those contributions. We are joined now by Deputy Cronin who has been at the plenary session in the Chamber. I am not sure to what extent she might like to intervene, but I call her now. Given we are almost two hours into the session, I ask her to be somewhat brief.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: She has left the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: We will return to our guests for comment on these issues insofar as they may be addressed. I call Dr. Culloty.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Not at all, the Deputy is very welcome. That brings us to the end of the meeting. On behalf of the joint committee, I thank the witnesses for coming in, for their comprehensive presentations and for the manner in which they dealt with the questions from and observations of the members in such a thorough manner. If there are further and ongoing issues that the witnesses believe should be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Dr. Culloty and Ms Heinl, as you deem fit, you may respond.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Disinformation and Hybrid Threats in a Geopolitical Context: Discussion (16 May 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Dr. Culloty. Would Ms Heinl like to comment? No.