Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is emergency legislation to fast-track the delivery of 450 MW of emergency back-up electricity generation. The Bill seeks to bypass some of the usual elements of the planning system, in particular parts of the environmental impact assessment. While Sinn Féin recognises the need to act to prevent blackouts and brownouts we have been vocal in criticising the rushed nature of this legislation. It should have gone through pre-legislative scrutiny. It is not acceptable to ignore environmental concerns when it suits the Government. We will submit amendments to ensure the process is reviewed after its conclusion and to recognise the impact of data centres on the energy crisis. There are huge environmental concerns around data centres, not only in the context of their energy hunger but also their water hunger, which is so great that water from the Shannon is being diverted to the Dublin area at great cost to the taxpayer. Data centres must pay their way and pay for the damage they do to the environment.

We are here today because of the Government's lack of planning. There is need for emergency back-up generation to avoid blackouts. We need an end to talk of penalising workers and families for energy usage at peak times. They are suffering enough. They need help and not hassle. We need to address that as soon as possible.

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