Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for the delay in providing personal security clearance and facility security clearance for companies here dealing with projects for the European defence industrial development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8534/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade chairs the National Security Authority (NSA), which is an interdepartmental group and the relevant authority for the protection of EU classified information (EUCI) in the State.  In this role my Department convenes the NSA and coordinates its work across its member Departments and Agencies.  The Departments of An Taoiseach, Justice and Equality, Defence; Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Transport, Tourism and Sport are members.

Facilities Security Clearance is a certification regime for companies involved in contracts that require the protection of EUCI, such as the European Defence Industrial Development Programme to which the Deputy refers.  The responsibilities of such companies are onerous as are those of the certification authorities.  Facilities security clearance involves not only security clearance of employees, managers and owners but also evaluations of physical security arrangements, the security of information and communication systems and of the integrity of the company with respect to its ownership, control and vulnerability to undue influence.  As such, a Facilities Clearance Facility requires a multi-faceted cross-Government approach.  

Members of the NSA are aware of the obstacles posed to Irish business in the area of Facility Security Clearance.  It is the intention of members of the NSA, in particular the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Defence, to bring the issue to the attention of Government in the coming months.  Consideration will need to be given as to whether statutory provision is required and to the appropriate Departmental responsibilities in the matter.