Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)

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?