Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000 to allow data centres and other key IT infrastructure to be included in the criteria for access to the Strategic Development planning procedure.

The Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) (Amendment) Bill 2017 seeks to ensure Ireland’s regulatory framework does not deter future investment and jobs growth. The Bill seeks to enable Irish communities to take advantage of the economic opportunities associated with large scale IT infrastructural projects. The Bill seeks to change the strategic planning process to allow data centres and other large-scale IT infrastructure projects to access a fast-tracked planning process.

We live in an increasingly competitive global environment. Ireland is one of many nations competing to secure high quality job investment by major international companies. The reason I am introducing the Bill is because where I live in east Galway, Athenry, and Apple has been associated in the media for a long number of months with an ongoing planning and judicial inquiry. It has been going on for nearly 18 months, during which time we have a company saying it has investments of up to €850 million and a population and community saying "Please bring us the business". We have people who object. While we do not disagree with objecting, it is the length of time it has taken the objections to take place that is the issue. The Bill looks to include strategic infrastructure in the fast-track system.

The people of east Galway feel we should learn lessons from what has happened over the past three years. It is one of the reasons I seek leave today to introduce the Bill.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1 o’clock

Is the Bill opposed?

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with Standing Order 147(4), the Bill will be taken on the next day on which Private Members' business is to be taken.