I am unique in having asked a number of questions regarding the IT infrastructure of the HSE and the security thereof in 2019 and 2020. At the end of 2020, 37,000 computers had not been upgraded from Windows 7. The year before, the number was even greater. This was only a few months ago. I ask the Taoiseach directly whether this was a component in the malware attack. There has to be a difference between the Department of Health and the HSE because the Department was able to deal with this attack through its security systems but the HSE was not. Was it because the systems were out of date? Given the vacuum with regard to the details of this issue, in which I take a great interest, I ask the Taoiseach that question directly. Is there any connection? Was the post of head of information security in the HSE, which was meant to be filled last September, filled? In the coming days, will the Taoiseach give a briefing on this issue directly to the leaders of the Opposition parties? If it had been any other form of attack on our county, we would have been getting detailed information.

A briefing will be offered. In fact, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, was contacting his counterparts this afternoon to facilitate such a briefing. We can facilitate a briefing with leaders and we intend to do so. With regard to the specific questions the Deputy has asked, it is still far too early to identify the entry point or the manner or nature of this attack.

Is it?

Yes, it is. There are people working on this and we will, in the fullness of time, have a full report on it. Obviously, the containment, repair, remedy, restoration and assessment of this are currently ongoing in terms of the impact of the attack. The briefing will be comprehensive. Hopefully, we can do it before the close of business.