Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the response. I note it states that GNI has since paused new connection agreements with gas-fired data centres. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action has a letter from Gas Networks Ireland confirming that there are 13 data centres that either have been connected in the last year or are awaiting connection to the gas grid, and that GNI believes it is legally obliged to connect those data centres to the grid. Does this mean the pausing of any new contracts or will those 13 still get connected to the gas grid, which would have serious implications for our emissions targets?

I would be interested in hearing the Minister's response to GNI literally making public statements that are in direct contradiction to the programme for Government and the Minister’s own statements, which expressed the belief that data centres connecting to the gas network could meet the principles of the Government’s data centre policy through the increased use of biomethane and hydrogen, which we know is absolutely not a runner logistically. I am interested in hearing the Minister of State's response.