Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
23. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the progress his Department has made regarding the establishment of a joint cyber-security command and other actions related to cyber-security contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. [49303/25]
View answerAs recognised in the Report on the Commission on Defence Forces and accepted by Government, the Defence Forces needs to be capable of delivering military effects across the cyber domain. To this end, my Department published a high-level action plan for the Report on the Commission on the Defence Forces, which included recommendations relating to Defence Forces Cyber Defence functions
As a result the Defence Forces have established a Joint Cyber Defence Command (JCDC). This Command will be able to conduct full-spectrum cyberspace operations to robustly defend against cyber threats, support Defence Forces operations at home and overseas, and enhance national cyber defence resilience and contingent capabilities.
Following the establishment of the JCDC, a Defence Forces Cyber-Defence Strategy 2024 to 2027 was published last year. This Strategy sets out a comprehensive road map to ensure that the Defence Forces achieve operational capability in this new domain.
To give effect to this Strategy, my Department has approved the assignment of 19 Defence Forces specialists to kick start the operation of this Unit which is headed up by an officer of General rank. In addition, my Department engaged with the Public Appointments Service to recruit 10 civilian cyber specialists who will be embedded in the JCDC, it is intended that such posts will be filled as soon as possible.
I am satisfied that from a Defence perspective we are developing a positive trajectory to ensure that the new Cyber Defence Command Unit is well positioned to meet the ambitious targets set out in the Cyber Strategy.
