A Clare TD is calling for a MidWest intelligence centre to be placed at the forefront of protecting Ireland from security threats.
It follows large scale disruption to emergency services and national media here last Friday following hoax bomb threats directed at RTÉ, Bauer Media and Mediahaus.
Russian hackers are understood to have been behind the plot which forced RTÉ, Newstalk, Today FM and Spin off air for several hours and caused their headquarters to be evacuated.
Mediahaus which is home to the likes of the Irish Independent and Sunday World received the same threat with staff also forced to evacuate their buildings, while emergency services were scrambled to deal with what ultimately turned out to be a hoax threat.
It follows similar attacks which grounded eight flights across Europe last week, with are believed to have come from the same group.
Clare based Independent MEP Michael McNamara wants to see a clear cyber security plan developed by the Government.
The events have raised concern for further disruption this week as Ireland prepares for the biggest security operation in the state’s history, when over 50 European Leaders arrive here on Thursday as part of the EU Presidency.
Uniquely, Ireland also happens to be the only country in the 27 member bloc without a National Robotics Centre.
Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe believes the Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems at the University of Limerick can serve Ireland’s security interests if its invested in properly.
You can listen to the full interview here:
