Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Does the Minister believe that meeting the increased demand for data centres is compliant with our climate laws? At the moment we have an existing first-come, first-served basis for new grid connections.

Does the Minister think that is consistent with our climate laws?

I also raise the fact that data centres gobble up so much of our energy. So many houses are needed which will require new grid connections. While a lot of data centres are required to produce their own energy, they still need the grid as a back-up. With his Minister for energy hat on, what can the Minister do to ensure that we invest in our grid and that houses are prioritised, rather than on this first-come, first-served basis that exists at the moment?