Cyber warfare 'biggest threat' as Europe takes Ireland to court over terror law failures

Irish Examiner

7 hours ago

The Taoiseach has said that 'cyber warfare' is the biggest problem the country faces in cybersecurity.
Micheál Martin said the key threats facing Ireland were: cyber security attacks; subsea cable attacks; hybrid attacks; misinformation on social media and terrorist attacks – but added that the risk of them happening was 'low'.
His comments come as the European Commission announced it was taking Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failing to comply with EU laws on removing online terrorist content – which it said it warned the Irish Government about in February 2024.
The directive obliges online platforms to remove terrorist content 'within an hour' of a removal order by a member state. The commission said Ireland has failed to designate an authority to issue such orders and lay down rules on the legal obligations for online firms and the penalties they face.
Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Martin said 'accelerated and increased' investment on security and defence was required given the security challenges Ireland and its partners face.
Defence spend
Responding to comments from Ruth Coppinger TD that Ireland was going to be spending an 'incredible amount' of money on fighter jets, he said no such money will be spent 'for a long time, for quiet some time'.
Tánaiste and minister for defence Simon Harris said last February that he was now 'convinced' that Ireland needs a squadron of fighter jets to police its airspace.
Answering questions from deputies on national security, the Taoiseach said he had chaired the first meeting of the new Ministerial Council on National Security on May 21.
He said the council, which Mr Harris and minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan are members of, received a 'detailed briefing' on the current security situation from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, as well as cyber threats.
Mr Martin said: 'It is clear, in light of the worsened security situation in Europe and significant changes in the nature of the security challenges we and our partners face, that accelerated and increased investment in the State's security and defence services will be required in the coming period.'
He said the council also received a detailed report from the National Security Committee, comprising senior civil servants and security agencies, which covered Ukraine, Middle East, Defence Forces investment and cyber capabilities.
Mr Martin said Ireland needed to be 'extremely vigilant' in relation to cyberattacks given they will be 'more sophisticated' with the application of AI technologies.
"Cyber warfare is the biggest problem we have in cybersecurity," he said.
On the national security strategy – promised in 2019 and first due in 2021 - Mr Martin said the national security secretariat in his department 'is now putting together the inputs' from all the relevant departments and agencies.
Ireland taken to court
Meanwhile, the European Commission has referred Ireland, Portugal and Bulgaria to the European Court of Justice for 'failing to comply' with obligations under EU Regulation on the dissemination of terrorist content online (TCO).
It said the regulation, which became applicable in June 2022, requires terrorist content in the EU be taken down by online platforms within an hour of a removal order from a member state.
"This helps stop the spread of extremist ideologies online - which is key for preventing attacks and addressing radicalisation - while safeguarding fundamental rights," the commission said.
It added: 'Vulnerable users, particularly minors, are being radicalised online at an alarming rate. The [TCO] has been instrumental in countering the spread of terrorist content online, enabling the swift removal of the most heinous and dangerous material.'