Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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127. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount paid by Ireland since joining the NATO accredited Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence; the additional co-operative arrangements with NATO forces in the area of cybersecurity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52066/21]

Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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The Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCoE) was established by NATO member states to develop and enhance capabilities to counter cyber threats. The Centre is based in Tallinn, Estonia. The Centre is staffed and financed by its participating states which include both NATO members and non-NATO members including Austria, Finland, Sweden and Ireland. The Centre does not fall within NATO’s military command or force structure and has no operational mandate. As a Contributing Participant, Ireland has access to the CCDCoE training catalogue and can participate in cyber exercises. Ireland is also represented on the CCDCoE Steering Committee which has responsibility for oversight of the administration and policies of the Centre.

The total amount paid to CCDCoE to date is €3,680. These fees are in respect of training courses in areas of International Law, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Threat Intelligence and Malware Analysis.