Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement by Apple that it will apply for planning permission next week for the data centre based in Derrydonnell near Athenry. The application will include an environmental impact survey requesting permission to build a single storey data centre building, a logistics and administration building, a maintenance building, two small fibre huts, a security hut, an ESB substation and 18 standby generators. The site will also include a wastewater treatment plant, rain water harvesting, as well as an amenity walkway around the facility with tree planting and landscaping. This development will be of huge benefit to the local area. It is hoped that construction will commence shortly, with completion in 2017. Together with the recent announcement of funding and permission for a high-speed fibre-optic cable between Mayo and New York, this is a significant boost for the west and a significant step in attracting high-tech industry to the region. This is very welcome news for the west.