Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of recent hackings into the IMF and the US Senate websites, the level to which Government websites are secure; the precautions that are in place to prevent this State falling victim to cyber warfare and cyber hacking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16253/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have no lead responsibility for the security arrangements of Irish Government websites. The specific responsibilities of each Department in this regard are a matter for the relevant Minister.

With regard to my Department's website, I am satisfied that there are sufficient perimeter and access controls in place to ensure reasonable protection. Security audits have shown no evidence of breaches of my Department's website security.

In relation to the broader issue of a cyber security strategy for Ireland, I am aware that the Department of Communications has undertaken some preliminary work in this regard.

Insofar as my Department is responsible for the development of legislation on cybercrime, the Criminal Justice (Cybercrime) Bill, which is currently being prepared, will create a range of offences relating to information systems and data, including illegally accessing a system, interference with systems or data and illegal interception of data. Offences will also be created in relation to hacker tools used for the commission of these offences. This measure will enable Ireland to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. It is also intended to incorporate any legislative requirements arising from the new EU Directive on Attacks against Information Systems, which is currently being negotiated, into the Bill.