Legislative Process

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026

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Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Questions (213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 232, 233)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

213. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason Ireland has not enacted the primary legislation required to give full effect to Council Decision 2013/488/EU on the protection of EU Classified Information; the timeline originally set by her Department for drafting and publishing the necessary Heads of Bill; the current status of that draft; and the name and grade of the official or unit with lead responsibility for progressing this legislation since 2013. [17139/26]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

214. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline which Department has held lead responsibility for ensuring State-level compliance with Council Decision 2013/488/EU since 2013; whether this responsibility has changed hands; whether any interdepartmental group or senior officials’ committee was established to progress the required legislation; and the reasons no legislation has been brought forward in the 13 years since the decision was adopted. [17140/26]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

215. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list all interdepartmental meetings, working groups, or official submissions concerning Ireland’s compliance with EUCI obligations since 2013, including dates and participating Departments. [17141/26]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

216. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role her Department has played in progressing the legislative measures required to implement Council Decision 2013/488/EU; whether her Department has raised concerns regarding Ireland’s non-compliance; and the reasons no legislative framework has been introduced in the 13 years since the decision was adopted. [17145/26]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

217. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of personnel vetted for access to EU classified information since 2013; and whether the absence of primary legislation has affected Ireland’s ability to meet EU level security obligations. [17146/26]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

218. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide the dates of all internal milestones, submissions, or memos relating to the preparation of the required EU legislation on the protection of classified information; the dates on which these were approved or delayed; and the reasons for any delay exceeding six months at each stage. [17208/26]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

232. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps her Department has taken since 2013 to ensure Ireland’s compliance with Council Decision 2013/488/EU on EU Classified Information; whether her Department requested or recommended the drafting of primary legislation; and the reasons such legislation has not been published. [17143/26]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

233. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide the dates of all communications between her Department and other Departments regarding the need for EUCI-related legislation; and the outcome of each communication. [17144/26]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

I propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 232 and 233 together.

In light of Council Decision 2013/488/EU on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (EUCI), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade undertakes a range of measures including in such areas as physical, personnel, ICT, and other areas, to ensure the protection of EUCI within the Department.

This includes robust procedures and measures for physical and electronic access, storage, transmission, and destruction of EUCI. It also includes measures to ensure officials with access to EUCI are restricted to those with a need to access such information, have security clearance at the appropriate level, and are fully briefed on their responsibilities for the protection of EUCI in line with Council Decision 2013/488/EU.

The Department currently chairs the National Security Authority (NSA), which is an interdepartmental group and the relevant authority for the protection of EUCI in the State. In this capacity, my Department currently processes applications for security clearance for officials seeking to access EUCI. Vetting is required on a five year cycle. Since 2019, over 400 government officials have been vetted for access to EUCI.

In line with the Programme for Government commitment to bring the National Security Authority under the remit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, a project is underway in that Department to give effect to this. My Department supports this important work and is participating in the process to take it forward.

Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 213.

Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 213.

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