Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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78. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60387/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s second National Cyber Security Strategy, published in 2019, came to a close at the end of 2024. It set out 20 collaborative measures with the aim of meeting a range of objectives, including to improve the ability of the State to respond to and manage cyber security incidents and to improve the resilience and security of public sector IT systems to better protect data and services. A Mid-Term Review of the Strategy published in May 2023 saw the inclusion of a further 18 new measures to be met within its lifetime.

I expect to be in a position to publish the End-of-Strategy report shortly which will set out progress made on implementing these measures at the end of 2024.

Preparations for the successor strategy are underway in my Department. This strategy will incorporate obligations arising from the revised EU Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2 Directive) alongside other national commitments relating to cyber security such as those set out in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan.

A public consultation process will be launched soon to gather input from citizens, academia, industry, and other key stakeholders. These submissions will be reviewed and taken into consideration throughout the process of formulating priorities and specific measurable goals for the third Strategy.

Officials in my Department are currently consulting with the National Cyber Security Centre as well as other relevant Government Departments and Agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Defence on developing this strategy. Care will be taken throughout the strategy development process to ensure appropriate alignment with other relevant strategies including the Maritime Security Strategy and the Digital and AI Strategy.

I expect to be in a position to publish the Third National Cyber Security Strategy early in 2026.