Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Bruton for raising this issue and for his own work in that Department previously on offshore renewable energy. I share the view of my predecessor that this is Ireland's Moonshot where we go from being a net importer of energy to a net exporter of it. It is a significant opportunity for Ireland, Europe, jobs and our economy. I will get the Deputy an update on the work of the cross-Government task force, particularly how we are capacity planning. From my previous role, I know the work being done on the workforce and skills element of it but I will get that whole-of-Government perspective. The issue of data centres is not an easy one but ironically there is a need for progress on this issue to unleash the potential that some of this sector offers. This is an issue Government is continuing to consider.

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