Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on whether telecommunications infrastructure here has adequate protections in place to limit the damage of cyber attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49384/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The security of the Irish State and its citizens is a matter of the highest priority for the Government. Telecommunications security is an increasingly critical component of national security, and there are a range of measures already in place around the resilience of services, and responding to incidents.

All telecommunications operators already have statutory obligations to take measures to manage risks to the security of their networks and services. ComReg, the Commission for Communications Regulation, which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions, is responsible for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 333 of 2011), and in particular Regulations 23 and 24 relating respectively to Security and Integrity. Moreover, the integrity and security of the telecommunications sector is under on-going review by the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment as a matter of policy.

More specifically, developments relating to concerns regarding the technology used in 5G networks are being monitored on an on-going basis. The focus of the State is on the security of telecommunications infrastructure, and a series of measures will be brought forward in the coming months to develop a flexible and robust system to ensure the security of telecommunications infrastructure into the future.