Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of any meetings he has had with the Department of Communications, Energy and National Resources on the issue of cyber security policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30061/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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My colleague the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is devising a national cyber security policy aimed at protecting economic infrastructure, informing and assisting citizens. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regularly briefs the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning on matters relating to this policy and on cyber security issues more generally. In the first instance, each State agency, business and individual should take every precaution with regard to their security. Awareness of security, the risks and available safeguards, should be seen as the first line of defence for the security of information systems and networks.

I am aware of considerable activity in this regard and my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has undertaken a number of awareness campaigns aimed at individuals, SMEs, the education sector, the public sector and business and most recently launched "Make IT Secure 2012", the latest campaign in the public awareness initiative on the safe use of the internet.

As Chairman of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning, I regularly receive briefings on progress regarding the ongoing work in relation to cyber security. The most recent briefing was at the meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning on Monday last. Obviously it would be inappropriate to go into any detail on this ongoing work for security reasons but I can inform the Deputy that an Inter-Departmental Cyber Security Committee is being established and the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning will continue to be regularly briefed through the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

The Defence Forces have also provided assistance in relation to national cyber security response. In the context of the roles of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, considerable resources are invested in minimising the threats associated with cyber attack and malicious security breaches. This includes investment in training and comprehensive measures with regard to the security of Defence Forces information and communications systems when deployed, in Ireland and overseas. Details of measures taken are not publicised again for security reasons.

Separately, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I can advise that the European Commission published a proposal for a Directive on attacks against Information Systems in September 2010 and the Department of Justice and Equality is closely engaged in the progress of this proposal.