Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I engaged Mr. Dermot McCarthy, former Secretary General to the Government and the Department of the Taoiseach, to conduct an independent review into the circumstances requiring emergency measures to be introduced to secure electricity supply over the coming winters. Mr. McCarthy's engagement, along with the terms of reference for the review, were noted by Government at its meeting on 14 June 2022.

The review is being conducted under the following terms of reference: to identify factors which have contributed to the capacity shortfall, including the possible role of the growth in demand for data centres and the associated policy; to identify factors which contributed to any underestimation of the risk of capacity shortfall; to identify factors associated with the respective roles and responsibilities which may have contributed to this situation; to identify learning which may be relevant to strengthening policy, capacity, governance and operational effectiveness in this area; and to identify any further technical analysis which may be helpful in this regard. I expect to receive Mr. McCarthy's report before the end of the year.

As it happens, I met him yesterday. He had a very short interim report on his work. Following consideration of the content of the final report I will then consider if it should be published and in what form. I have confidence in him and his ability. He has been at the centre of the public service for many years and that makes him uniquely qualified to assist us in this regard.

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