Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions. As I stated, the data centre is designed to be at least twice as efficient as most existing data centre facilities. That is an important point to underline. In conjunction with that, a sustainable energy project is being pursued by the Office of Public Works, OPW, on the site. I very much welcome that and will ensure it proceeds as part of the plan. The OPW has signed a contract with the ESB for the additional power connectivity required to ensure power reliability for the new data centre on the Backweston site, which is fundamental to the success of the project. There is an interdepartmental steering group in place to oversee the project, with senior officials from the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, the OPW, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Revenue, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and An Garda Síochána. They will consider the synergies and benefits that may be available by using the resources and expertise in the wider State sector.

For the information of Deputy Bruton, the review of the National Cyber Security Centre which, as he is aware, was under way well before the recent ransomware attack, has now been completed and has just been provided to the Minister. Its contents will be taken on board in the final plans for the development of this data centre.

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