Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Specifically on the work of NESC, similar to Deputy Lahart, I welcome the broad consideration it has given to many issues. As the Taoiseach mentioned, it is carrying out work on artificial intelligence. Critical to this is ensuring we have the necessary infrastructure in place to support a modern digital economy. This includes the construction of data centres. Data centres have got bad rap in many places. On foot of launching the new Echelon data centres in Arklow on Friday, the Taoiseach is aware how these centres, which are critical pieces of infrastructure, meet the criteria of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities for data centres and how they will contribute to the national grid. Will the Taoiseach join me in stating that data centres are an essential part of the digital economy and that modern data centres will contribute towards energy supply in this country?

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