Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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149. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the recently reported comments from an ambassador to Ireland (details supplied) that European security is heavily dependent on cyber resilience; his further views on the implications of their further statement that 30% of European cloud data is stored in Ireland; his views on whether Ireland is disproportionately responsible for Europe’s cyber resilience and thus Europe’s security; and if so, the way in which he plans to urgently strengthen Ireland’s capabilities. [43573/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The security of the Irish State and its citizens is a matter of the highest priority for the Government. The Irish authorities work very closely on an on-going basis with their international counterparts in identifying and managing any incidents or matters arising that pose a threat to the national security of the State. This includes engagement with other EU Member States across a wide range of cyber security matters and engagement with peers in the policy, strategic and operational coordination structures on cyber security established under EU law The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is located within my Department. The Centre is composed of highly skilled, specialist technical staff having skillsets in computer science, software engineering, malware analysis, information technology forensics, cryptography, software development, and cyber security compliance. The NCSC also acts as a conduit for information to its constituent base, including operators of Critical National Infrastructure, Government Departments and Agencies, via the Alert & Advisory System. The NCSC provides expert advice and analysis on cyber security issues and is involved in coordinating the response to significant incidents, including those under the EU Network and Information Security Directive.

European security is heavily dependent on cyber resilience, and each EU Member State is responsible for the cyber security in that State. With respect to Digital  Service Providers, the EU Network and Information Security Directive was transposed into Irish law in September 2018, and requires Ireland  to apply and enforce a regulatory regime for Digital Service Providers, including in the area of cloud computing providers. The NCSC has had detailed engagement with Digital Service Providers in regard to the security of the ICT services provided by companies across the European Union that have their European headquarters located in Ireland.