Mr. Dave Walsh:

At present, data centres are not strategic infrastructure. The Act was amended to include them on the Schedule but that has not been commenced, so all applications that come into us are appeals from the local authority on whether to grant or refuse. Given the scale of them, most of the applications are accompanied by an environmental impact assessment report that details a range of issues from traffic to energy to water to biodiversity impact. In the context of assessing each application against proper planning and sustainable development, we also look at national policy as set out in the national planning framework and the sectoral policies of various Departments. We also look at city and county plans. On each site and application we have to assess the relative impacts and come to what is the best decision with regard to proper planning and sustainable development. Again, there is a range of considerations but I am not sure whether this addresses the Deputy's questions. We have to look at all of the elements, including the energy and climate impacts, in determining whether to uphold the appeal.