Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

46. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the progress of the national security strategy. [25262/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is committed to the delivery of a National Security Strategy and work is ongoing in drawing up the strategy, co-ordinated by the National Security Secretariat in my Department and integrating inputs from a range of relevant stakeholders, including the Departments of Foreign Affairs; Defence; Justice; Environment, Climate and Communications; An Garda Síochána; the National Cyber Security Centre and the Defence Forces.

The preparation of a draft strategy covers a broad range of national security issues and it will include the implications of more recent security, defence and international developments and their related impacts, including the implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

I recently approved the establishment of a Ministerial Council on National Security, which comprises the Taoiseach as Chair, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, and the Minister for Justice.

The Council will ensure that at the highest level there is a structured, ongoing review of our strategic national security interests and systematised monitoring of progress with delivery on the Government’s commitments in this area, including the delivery of a National Security Strategy.