Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
78. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for on update on the transposition into Irish law of the Network and Information Systems Directive II (NIS2) EU Directive concerning cybersecurity; when this is likely to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2803/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NIS2 Directive is a revision of the NIS Directive which is currently in force in the State and will remain in full effect covering the most critical operators within the State while the NIS2 Directive is being transposed into national law. It represents a major step forward for cyber resilience in Ireland and in Europe and will enhance cyber risk management including generating significant improvements in our capacity to respond to major incidents and developing the information-sharing platforms which are proving effective to date.
Separatelym Government agreed in 2021 to establish the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on a statutory basis and provide for related matters including clarity around its mandate and role in general and in relation to other actors in the cyber area. The NCSC will also require additional powers to implement the provisions of the NIS2 Directive. Therefore, transposing of the NIS2 Directive and the additional statutory powers required for the NCSC will be taken forward as a single legislative instrument, the National Cyber Security Bill 2025.
NIS2 is a complex piece of legislation requiring a complete overhaul of existing cyber security legislation. However, the transposition of this legislation is a critical step forward for Ireland in enhancing our national and cyber security posture and it will mean we are better placed to ensure the resilience of our critical entities, infrastructure and Irish citizens from the ever-present threat of cyber security attacks.
A Cabinet decision in July 2024 directed priority drafting of the National Cyber Security Bill. The General Scheme of this legislation was published on the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) website in August 2024. My Department is currently engaging with the Office of Parliamentary Council (OPC), the Attorney General’s Office, the NCSC and other relevant Government Departments and Agencies on the drafting of the Bill.
My Department was also engaging with the Committee on Transport and Communications on pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme. This process was paused when the general election was called in November 2024. My expectation is pre-legislative scrutiny will resume once the relevant Committee is established under the new Government.
This legislation is a priority for Government and while the aim is to have it enacted as soon as possible, my Department cannot pre-empt the outcome or the length of time the legislative process will take.
