Cybersecurity Policy
Dail Éireann — 2025-12-16
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

I agree with the Deputy that the changing nature of threats is clearly moving towards hybrid threats in a way that we have never dealt with before. I know from a previous role that the Garda has been investing significantly in its capabilities, capacity and workforce. That is why we are doing what we are doing here with the Defence Forces. There is an emergency group that I chair when it relates to specific defence matters. It is chaired by the Minister for the environment if there are natural disasters or other issues that need to be dealt with. This group brings together all of the relevant bodies to be able to respond to particular threats, be they hybrid threats, cyber threats or otherwise. That group meets as it needs to and there are protocols in place. We need to make that they are always up to date and that we are able to respond to the changing threats and environments that are there. I have no doubt that I will be chairing that meeting in the near future. In fact, I know that I will.
It is important that we make sure that we are alert and live to all types of threat and that the different arms of the State are working together and in close in communication. The Garda Commissioner and the head of the Defence Forces are working closely together, not just because of the EU Presidency, but because of the changing nature of the threats that we have both referenced.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-12-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:28+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-16