48. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Department’s assessment of the risks posed by emerging AI-enabled cyber tools; the measures in place to ensure that the Defence Forces and the NCSC can counter such threats during the EU Presidency and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43591/26]

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is an operational arm of my Department. The NCSC monitors developments in AI-enabled cyber capabilities, and co-ordinates with our international partners in the EU and more broadly. This week, the NCSC published a risk assessment and guidelines on AI deployment.

“Securing AI Adoption in the Public Sector” provides new guidance to help public sector bodies adopt artificial intelligence securely and with confidence. These guidelines are part of a wider package of government support for AI adoption and deliver on a commitment in “Digital Ireland – Connecting our People, Securing our Future”, the National Digital and AI Strategy published by the Government in February 2026. They allow public bodies to adopt AI in a secure and resilient manner, giving them the confidence to realise the benefits of the technology while managing the risks.

As part of the preparations for the EU Presidency, in June the NCSC published a risk assessment of the cyber threats to Ireland’s presidency. The NCSC also led a two-day inter-Departmental exercise in May, simulating escalating cyber-attacks on the telecommunication and technology sectors in Ireland during the EU presidency. The exercise acted to test the NCSC’s own response capability, as well as providing an opportunity to highlight the increased strategic and intelligence value of the country’s digital infrastructure during the period of our Presidency. The Centre has also shared a Presidency-related assessment with operators of critical national infrastructure to assist them in their preparations for the period involved.

The Deputy will also appreciate that while the NCSC works closely with a range of bodies in the State, including the Defence Forces, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on matters relating to the Defence Forces.