Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
273. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Defence the current situation regarding undersea telecommunications cables in the State’s south-western waters; the risk analysis that has been undertaken in relation to military activity from other states in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5592/22]
View answerI am advised by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications that in relation to undersea telecommunications cables, the operators of communications infrastructure are obliged to take measures to protect the resilience and integrity of their own systems.
These obligations already exist in law and oversight of compliance is a matter for the telecoms regulator, ComReg. In November 2021 Government agreed to significantly expand these security requirements by means of legislating for the application of a set of Electronic Communications Security Measures, which have also been published for public consultation. Aspects of internet infrastructure are also covered by the Directive on security of network and information systems (NIS Directive), as transposed by S.I. 360 of 2018, which also has some requirements around physical security.
As part of the development of the 2015 White Paper on Defence, the Department engaged in a broad-ranging consultation process, including with all other Departments. At that time the Department of the Communications, Energy and Natural Resources outlined that resilience is built into the system to mitigate against any damage to submarine cables. High capacity and multiple routes provide resilience in the event of route failure. Business Continuity Planning is of interest to all major international corporations. Where damage has occurred to a cable in the past, the operators have shared a cable while repairs are made. Under the National Cyber Security Strategy, an updated detailed risk assessment of the vulnerability of all Critical National Infrastructure and services to cyber attack is being performed.
The Defence Organisation, including the Naval Service, has no unilateral powers of enforcement in relation to damage, criminal or otherwise, to undersea cables or other communication links in Ireland’s EEZ. While the Defence Forces are aware of active subsea fibre optic cables landing on the island of Ireland, the locations and security of these telecommunication resources does not rest with the Defence Forces.
Any contemplated enforcement at sea by the Naval Service would be incident-specific and progressed in conjunction with the relevant Lead Department or in an Aid to Civil Power to An Garda Síochána.
