Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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43. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the timeframe for the proposal to fast-track planning for data centres. [50381/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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I intend to amend the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, as soon as possible in order to classify data centres above a specified threshold as strategic infrastructural developments. 

This change will mean that applications for planning permission for specified data centres will be made directly to An Bord Pleanála and will not have to be submitted to the relevant local planning authority in the first instance with the possibility of a subsequent appeal to the Board.

I propose to table the necessary legislative amendments in this regard by way of Seanad Committee Stage amendments to the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 which is presently at Dáil Report Stage and which it is expected will be enacted in early 2018.