Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor McMullin for appearing before the committee and for his presentation. I note that he has concerns about the way in which the data centres are placing excessive and unprecedented energy demands on the grid. Does he see this as evolving into an argument for the need for us to have LNG terminals and import liquefied natural gas because one begets the other?

I will also ask about the guiding principle that we should inform our energy policies to reduce energy demand. What are Professor McMullin's views on the Planning and Development (Climate Emergency Measures) (Amendment) Bill 2021, specifically the restriction it proposes to place on all planning authorities in relation to the building of new, or the expansion of existing, fossil fuel infrastructure and data centres during the period of the climate emergency?