Assessments being carried out on decryption key to unblock HSE data

The Government says the HSE's network cannot just be unlocked and turned back on.

Assessments are being carried out on a decryption key obtained by the State to check it is safe and works, before it can be used.

It's understood the hackers provided the key, but Government says no ransom was paid and they didn't engage directly with the criminals.

Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Ossian Smyth says there's still a risk that the data will be published.