2385. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the assessment his Department has made of the risks posed by the use of artificial intelligence to facilitate cyberattacks against Ireland’s critical infrastructure; the measures being taken, in conjunction with relevant Departments and agencies, to strengthen the State’s cyber-defence capabilities against AI-enabled threats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61991/26]

This Government recognises the benefits that artificial intelligence (AI) can bring, while also acknowledging that it can present risks which require careful consideration.

The recently published National Digital and AI Strategy identified secure and trustworthy AI, cyber resilience and digital security as strategic priorities. The Strategy includes commitments to undertake a national AI cyber risk assessment, strengthen the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), enhance the capabilities of the Joint Cyber Defence Command, update the National Cyber Emergency Response Plan, implement the EU AI Act and strengthen governance arrangements for the use of AI across the public service.

The NCSC which is an operational arm of my Department monitors developments in AI-enabled cyber capabilities on a continuous basis and collaborates with our international partners in the EU and globally. The latest National Cyber Risk Assessment (NCRA), published last December, highlighted how AI drives systemic risk by increasing the speed, scale and sophistication of cyberattacks.

In June 2026, the NCSC published Securing AI Adoption in the Public Sector, providing guidance to public bodies on identifying and managing cyber security risks associated with AI systems. This complements the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation's Responsible Use of AI in the Public Service framework which sets out governance, risk management, transparency and human oversight requirements for the use of AI by public bodies.

The drafting of a new National Cyber Security Strategy, which is being led out by my Department and at an advanced stage, aims to build resilience against AI-enabled threats by tasking the NCSC to develop AI readiness across government, small businesses, and critical national infrastructure (CNI). It further proposes leveraging AI to enhance national defence capabilities, which the NCSC will progress through the development of an AI readiness plan.