Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are concerned about the consultation with Gas Networks Ireland because not only does it have a vested interest in the continued use of gas and protecting its assets, it is also on record as having no issue with connecting data centres directly to the gas grid. It does not see any contradiction in that and its public statements contradict statements that have come out of the Department and the Minister's letter asking Gas Network Ireland not to connect those data centres to the grid. That is a key part. One is about independence so why not have the energy regulator, another independent body, be part of that energy security review? When are we going to close that loophole that allows the data centres to continue to connect to the grid? In his response, the Minister agreed that we need to reduce gas demand. That is essential. We have to reduce gas demand and we need a strategy around that but when we look at the use of gas and the rate of its growth, it is clearly connected to these data centres that are connecting to the gas grid.