Ombudsman Ger Deering has said that a cyber attack on his office's IT systems was a "sustained attack".
Yesterday, the Office of the Ombudsman, which investigates complaints about providers of public services, said it is operating on the basis that data may have been taken in a cyber attack on its IT systems.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today, Mr Deering said there is no evidence that any data was taken.
"There is no evidence that any data has been taken. We are operating on an abundance of caution, if you like, and working on the basis that it had happened but no evidence so far," he said.
Mr Deering said his office became aware of the issue when they could not access their systems last Thursday, and that they then contacted the National Cyber Centre.
He said the centre has provided them with "extraordinary assistance".
Mr Deering said there has been an extensive forensic investigation of their system.
He said he believed the people involved in the attack are "criminal actors" and that their purpose is to "extract money" from the office.
"We have taken all precautionary measures, we have reported the matter to the Data Protection Commissioner ... and also to the gardaí," Mr Deering said.
"We have also secured a High Court injunction, again out of an abundance of caution, in case that anything was extracted.
He added that he wanted to reassure anyone who uses their services that the office is taking "every step necessary" to ensure their data is safe.
Mr Deering said his office will be contacting people and that it is putting workarounds in place.
He added that as a result of the attack it will the Ombudsman longer to deal with complaints, and that he expects most of their systems to be back running tomorrow.
