Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

To be clear, has the CRU reflected on the decision not to suspend the increase in demand for data centre energy until it could be safely and securely facilitated by the network? That was the second option, which was not chosen. As I understand it, this does not relate simply to the day-to-day. The discussions were around what conditions would be attached to connections and to requests for connections. It would have been within the remit of the CRU to have, for example, a conditionality around requirements for energy usage or reductions. There is therefore no hard power that requires data centres to reduce their energy use. The option was not chosen to make an obligation to comply with such requests a condition of having access to the grid. Is that correct? Has there been any reflection on that given, as the CRU has said, the disappointing information that is coming through on foot of the CRU not going with the moratorium two years ago, when that was one of the options available to it?