Vol. 568 No. 2
67 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on proposals to base the European Network and Information Security Agency at the Digital Hub in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15924/03]
The European Network and Information Security Agency is a proposal by the European Commission to establish a European centre of expertise on network and information security issues and thereby enhance the capability of the Union and the member states to deal with problems in this area. As we become increasingly dependent on computer and communications networks, the secure functioning of these networks is of key concern to us all in Europe.
The member states are currently working with the Commission to finalise the current text of the regulation to establish the agency. This must then go before the European Parliament. It is expected that a Common Position will be reached on it by the end of the year with a view to the agency beginning its work in the first half of 2004. It is envisaged that the agency will have a staff of about 30.
The current focus is on defining the exact functions and structures of the agency. The question of where it is to be located has not yet been discussed at European level. At the appropriate time it will be an issue to be decided at a high level in Europe and will probably happen in the context of the locating of a number of other EU bodies.
The primary focus of the Digital Hub is to attract private investment, both from the international and indigenous sectors. However, it is also important going forward that efforts are made to attract other projects into the Digital Hub, and the country as a whole, in order to maintain our drive to move our ICT sector up the value chain. It will be in this context that we will continue to monitor progress on the establishment of the agency closely.
It would help if we could finish the Digital Hub Development Agency Bill. It has been going through the Houses for a long time but we are still not on Report Stage. Is the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, actively canvassing at European level to ensure this agency will be based in this country, in the hub in particular? It would be the second such major agency after the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, which is based in Loughlinstown. Does the Minister of State agree that it would be very important, given that the private sector investment we expected for the hub that was originally pitched at €10 million per year is far below that level, with many important companies pulling out of the original project due to the way it was managed by the Government?
The Minister of State will be aware of the likely work of the agency. Recently many books were published marking the centenary of George Orwell's birth. Is it true that all of the data traffic retention information could be stored in the Liberties? Has the Minister of State or the Minister given any thought to the grave concerns about the current proposals on data traffic retention which elements of the media and journalists such as Karlin Lillington have highlighted in recent months, that, in reaction to 11 September, we have gone way over the top and we are envisaging a Nineteen Eighty-Four or Animal Farm type society which would not be in the interests of democracy?
At a meeting of the EU Telecoms Council in June, which I attended, the regulations received informal political approval and have now been referred to the European Parliament for discussion. It is anticipated that the agency will come into being in the first half of 2004. The majority of member states feel that ENISA should only have a consultative and advisory role as opposed to any operational responsibilities.
The criteria for location of the agency are that it must be easily accessible in terms of communication, especially electronic communication, have effective and fast transport connections enabling the agency to work closely and efficiently with those institutions and services that deal with network and information security services or issues, be cost effective, enable the agency to start its work immediately and provide the necessary infrastructure and personnel of the agency. I can assure the Deputy, that the Minister and I will fight to secure this agency for Ireland. The decision could be made on where this and other agencies are located during Ireland's Presidency, which should work in our favour.
Is the option for location in Ireland confined to the Digital Hub or, in the spirit of decentralisation, are alternative venues being examined such as Galway, Limerick or the airport business park in Cork?
Is the Deputy suggesting Dundalk?
What is the Minister of State's view on the collection and storage of cyber data traffic? Is the Government happy that we are not over-reacting to security and data on the Internet when it comes to respecting people's privacy?
If the Minister of State is going in to bat for us, how will he keep a straight face when it comes to the criterion of effective and fast transport connections in any part of the State? How will we fare on that criterion?
We are bottom of the league.
I do not accept that we are bottom of the league.
We have just edged ahead of Greece.
When the Minister or I go in to bat we will make an effective case for Ireland. In answer to Deputy Coveney's question on other locations, I was thinking of Enniscorthy but the number one priority would be to secure it for Ireland. I would not say there has been a leaning towards the Digital Hub in Dublin but in some of the speeches made in this House there were calls for it to be located there.
A review of national network security arrangements in Ireland is currently under way and an awareness campaign regarding network security issues is being prepared and both will be completed shortly.
Will we have the opportunity to debate those reports when they are published?
Is the agency primarily the responsibility of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources or the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform?
I will bring a possible debate on the issue to the attention of the Minister.
Would the agency be the responsibility of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources?
Yes.
