Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise a separate matter. Last week, the Taoiseach agreed with me that we should have a debate on data centres. At that time, we did not have the report from Bitpower, which tells us that there are now 82 data centres operating in the Republic. Last July, the figure was 75. We know that data centre usage is taking up 18% of our national grid at the moment, and that figure will rise to 30%. According to Bitpower, a further 14 centres are under construction, with planning permission approved for 40 more, and there are a further 12 planning applications filed. Is it not just as well that we have a de facto moratorium? Would anyone believe we have a de facto moratorium? Can we have a de facto debate on this matter, which I think is urgent?

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