Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach commented about there being no new planning applications for data centres. We know there are a few still in the planning stages and a number of others that are still in the construction stages. They are on course to consume at least 30% of our grid capacity by 2030. To give some context on that, the average in other countries is just 2%. It is clear that the Taoiseach recognises the value of growing the economy and also the value of not growing it in that way. We all recognise some of the benefits of data centres. However, what is clear and what is of major concern to me and many other people and me, is that the Government does not seem to recognise the cost of not taking climate action and the impact that will have on the economy. The impact of it is unimaginable. It is the Taoiseach's responsibility to imagine it and act accordingly. Not doing that is unforgivable.

On the nature restoration law, it is already been stated, even by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, that there are enough State-owned lands, that Bord na Móna and Coillte lands will be used to rewet the bogs and that farmers will only be asked to do rewet land on a voluntary basis. There the Taoiseach goes again with the scaremongering. Given all of this information, will he reassure people that the Fine Gael MEPs will support this very important law? If not, will he tell us what the plan is in the face of mass biodiversity crisis and rising emissions?

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