New body for national security must be top priority – Callaghan

The establishment of a new National Security Authority (NSA) to tackle imminent security concerns must be progressed urgently, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Catherine Callaghan said the delays in establishing a new authority are preventing progress in expanding Ireland’s capability to deal with security threats and developing a new security policy.

A new and refined National Security Authority is agreed for in the Programme for Government.

And now, Deputy Callaghan has received confirmation from the Justice Minister that work is underway to ‘design a new statutory NSA to support the security and protection of classified information, in line with our EU and international obligations’.

The Fine Gael Carlow Kilkenny TD, who formerly served in the Defence Forces, said currently the little-known NSA works on an administrative basis.

“It cannot provide a full range of protections for sensitive and confidential information that is needed to bring us in line with our EU counterparts.

“At a time of global instability and rising external threats, we need to see the establishment of a more comprehensive National Security Agency that can provide the high-level vetting and security clearance that we are clearly missing.

“We need to act with urgency when it comes to national security and protecting our citizens, businesses and critical infrastructure. In order to respond to new risks, like cybersecurity threats, we need a more modernised system for security clearances and protection of classified information.

“Every day, we can see from international developments of the potential external threats facing us,” Deputy Calllaghan said.

“With Ireland currently holding the presidency of the EU, it’s vital we see progress on developing the new authority. This is about building the infrastructure that allows us to operate securely at EU and global level. Security is a key cornerstone of the Presidency,” she said.

“A fully functioning statutory NSA would give the State the power to efficiently coordinate national security and policy, develop a national security strategy, and help manage classified information.

“We currently don’t have an adequate security clearance system here in Ireland to provide the level of protection we really need.

“For some higher education institutions this means they still do not have the guidelines for research security for their staff, students, research, and facilities and it can leave sensitive research wide open to bad actors.

“The new body must be able to provide the full spectrum of security clearances for Government departments, public bodies and private companies working on sensitive matters.

“The Programme for Government commits to bringing the NSA under the remit of the Department of Justice to ensure proper alignment of national security infrastructure. 

“If we are serious about national security, we need to see action on this. A new security authority must be established as soon as possible,” concluded Deputy Callaghan.