Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 December 2019
259. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has spoken with EU leaders, particularly of the UK and Italy, regarding the use of technology (details supplied) in view of the reports following the NATO conference held in London recently. [51852/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra5G (5th Generation) deployment of network technologies is a major enabler for future digital services and a priority for the Digital Single Market strategy. 5G networks represent a technological shift and will provide new opportunities for the economy and society of Europe, enabling innovation and advancement in many key sectors. 5G networks will form part of Europe’s critical infrastructure and underpin key services in sectors such as energy, healthcare, agriculture and transport, and ensuring the cybersecurity of 5G networks is an issue of strategic importance for the EU in the wider context of the ongoing threats posed by cybersecurity incidents.
The European Commission published its Recommendation on the Cybersecurity of 5G Networks on 26th March 2019. The first step of the Recommendation was for Member States to carry out national risk assessments on the cyber security risks affecting 5G networks and to forward these to the European Commission for collation. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) completed this review in respect of Ireland in close collaboration with other EU Members States, including the UK and Italy, EU Institutions, ComReg, and Mobile Telephone Operators in order to ensure that a comprehensive and evidence based review was carried out.
The European Commission will publish an EU toolbox of recommended measures in the coming weeks that will be informed by the outcome of the EU risk assessment. Ireland will continue to contribute towards the development of these measures to address these risks and looks forward its publication. In addition, as part of the 2019 National Cyber Security Strategy, Ireland will be bringing forward a series of measures in relation to 5G security and Critical National Infrastructure.
