Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Ahern. This whole issue of energy security and supply is an important one. We all know where we need to get to in the context of renewable and offshore energy. We know that we need to turbocharge - pardon the pun - getting there in every way we possibly can. It is about a balanced approach, however. We do not want our country to be closed to investment and investment opportunities. I know Deputy Ahern does not wish that either. We are also seeing data centres themselves changing the way they go about their operations. The way forward on this will be for the Government to work on the large energy users connection policy. I would ideally like to see that published in the autumn. It will show what the policy approach should be from here out to the medium term.

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