David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is correct in identifying that this is timely legislation, especially this week. We can see the potential damage that could be caused to Government agencies, Departments, State agencies, health systems and God knows what else through unlawful interference with those systems. We were well prepared for it in Ireland and it has not impacted on us to the same extent as it has in other jurisdictions. However, we have been informed that this might only be the beginning and that both the emergence of more and more malware and further unlawful hacking are possible.

The Senator referred to the manipulation and use of data. I contend that data is the new gold; it is extremely valuable. The question of how it is used or abused is important. However, that is not what the Bill covers, as such. In any event, the Senator is right to raise the issue.

This is a matter of which we need to be aware and in respect of which we might, perhaps, have a public debate. It all relates to the use, value, and collection of data and so forth. That is another debate completely. The Bill relates to interference with systems without lawful authority. In particular, it relates to information systems, interference with data and so forth, as it is laid down. This is a short but extremely important item of legislation. In one way, it is probably one of the most important items legislation with which we are dealing at present. It is not getting a great deal of attention. If, however, our systems had been interfered with at the weekend, people would have been calling for it to be brought forward. That said, the Bill is here now and I thank the Senators for their support for it. It is important for our economy and society that we pass it, get it on the Statute Book and get it implemented as soon as possible.