Cyber warfare 'biggest threat' as Europe takes Ireland to court over terror law failures
Micheál Martin: '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.' Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie
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.
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.
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.”
Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration said: "Ireland remains fully committed to the complete implementation of Regulation (EU) 2021/784 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 on addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online.
"The EU Regulation on Terrorist Content Online (TCOR) provides a mechanism for the issuing of orders requiring service providers to remove terrorist content within a very short time frame.
"Member States are required to designate competent authorities for four roles set out in Article 12 of the TCO Regulation:
- to issue removal orders requiring hosting service providers to take down terrorist content;
- to scrutinise removal orders from other Member States that apply to Irish-based providers to ensure the proper requirements are met;
- to oversee remedial measures in respect of providers which are particularly exposed to terrorist content;
- to impose sanctions including financial penalties up to 4% of global turnover.
The designation of three of these roles is already in place in Ireland:
- An Garda Síochána is designated (S.I. 270/2023) as the Irish competent authority to issue removal orders.
- (c) Coimisiún na Meán is designated (S.I. 545/2023) as the Irish competent authority to oversee specific remedial measures.
- (d) Coimisiún na Meán is designated (S.I. 487/2024 and S.I. 487/2024) the Irish competent authority to impose sanctions and penalties.
"The remaining competent authority for designation is for (b) scrutiny of cross-border removal orders. This role refers to the process whereby the competent authority is requested by the provider or host of content subject to a removal order issued by another Member State to scrutinise whether the removal order infringes the Regulation or the fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter.
"The Department is in the process of finalising this designation and expects to conclude this process in the very near future.
"The Department remains in active communication with the EU Commission to provide updates on this outstanding designation."
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