6. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the level of preparedness within the Defence Forces to respond to cyber or physical interference via subsea communication cables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60462/25]

Sentiment score: 0.08

This question has been asked twice already, so it is good that I have a clear insight. My question refers to the preparedness within the Defence Forces to respond to cyber and physical interference. I will discuss how we should strengthen our interconnectivity in terms of not only data but also electricity. The Minister knows I want our system to be decentralised and for there to be private wires. I want an update on the readiness of our Defence Forces.

Sentiment score: 0.29

I thank the Minister for the update. Saturday is the one-year anniversary of the death of former Senator Billy Lawless, on the day the general election was called. I want to put on the record of the House that his previous PA is working with my team. In her words, there is not much to say about him but simply that it was a huge pleasure to have worked with him and he was one of a kind. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. This issue is important because the economy and our infrastructure now depend heavily on undersea cables and other hidden networks. As an island, we are uniquely vulnerable, something I know the Minister is well aware of. Therefore, the ability of the Defence Forces' ability to respond to cyber and physical interference is a matter of national security and resilience. The private wire piece will help in this regard when paired with long-duration energy storage, which we are discussing in the climate and energy committee. It will strengthen our national security by reducing our dependence and decentralising our current energy system. It will create micro grids across the country in specific areas with hospitals and schools that need energy, in case we ever come under attack or suffer damage to our cables, although we hope we never will.

Sentiment score: 0.24

I thank the Tánaiste for his kind words. Back to the same point, I am delighted to hear about the investments going into protecting our offshore infrastructure. However, in relation to the benefits of private wires not only will it help the investments the Government will be making but it will allow critical infrastructure, businesses and communities, to generate and use power locally. By creating those semi-independent energy hubs, they can then operate off the grid if our grid is ever physically attacked or there is a cyberattack. By decentralising the supply and removing the single points of failure of our offshore supply, private wires make Ireland's overall energy system more resilient, more secure and far better. It will also help with the housing crisis and it will help with the cost per unit of electricity because we are increasing the supply and reducing the demand. Everyone will benefit from this. I met with the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, last week regarding my Bill and I hope to get support from across the House.

Sentiment score: 0.41