Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives he is taking with his EU counterparts in relation to threats of hybrid and covert operations by Russia within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27272/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Russia’s hybrid campaign targeting the EU and Member States, including through malicious cyber activity and the deliberate spreading of disinformation, is completely unacceptable.

The Government takes the risks posed by Russia’s hybrid activity extremely seriously. In this context, Ireland has actively supported agreement on a range of measures set out in the EU Strategic Compass to enhance the EU’s capability to effectively counter hybrid campaigns. This includes the development of a new EU Hybrid Toolbox in 2022, a new Toolbox to counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference agreed in 2023, and the recent agreement to establish EU Hybrid Rapid Response Teams, implementation of which is ongoing.

The cumulative impact of these and other complementary measures at EU level, including the implementation of the Digital Services Act and the new AI Act, will significantly enhance the EU’s capacity to identify, mitigate and counter Russia’s hybrid campaigns.

The Government is also implementing a range of relevant measures at national level including increased investment in the National Cyber Security Centre, an inward investment screening mechanism and legislation on relevant vendors in the Communications Regulations and Digital Hub Agency Act. We have also taken measures to safeguard the electoral system and to address disinformation through the Electoral Reform Act and the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act respectively. The forthcoming National Security, Maritime Security and Counter Disinformation strategies will further enhance our national approach on hybrid issues.

Ireland also works closely with EU and other partner countries on hybrid issues through the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki. This work is coordinated through my Department, working in close cooperation with relevant Government Departments and Agencies, which have responsibility for hybrid threats within their own areas of responsibility.