Written answers

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Data Centres

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the decision to issue a ministerial order to overturn the policy on data centres within the South Dublin County Council development plan, particularly in respect of the role of local authorities and local communities in climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1641/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I have no role in the issuing of Ministerial Directions under the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), which are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

As a part of Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework includes the promotion of Ireland as a sustainable international destination for ICT infrastructures such as data centres and associated economic activities. This is reflected in the “Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy” which was published in July of 2022. The statement addresses sustainable data centre development to align with Ireland’s renewable energy targets, security of supply, sectoral emissions, and climate priorities. The goal of this policy is to ensure the positive benefits for sustainability are maximised and that digital technologies are used in a sustainable manner to ensure the energy and circular economy challenges from digitalisation are aligned with our climate objectives. Local Development plans should be consistent with National Policy in this regard.

The recently published Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out a plan implementing the carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings along with a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050, as was committed to in the Programme for Government. Included in that plan is the need to ensure electricity demand is managed in line with our climate objectives. Flexible and decarbonised demand from large energy users is critical for security of supply and ensuring consistency with the binding carbon budgets. Gas and electricity connection policies remain under regular review by the Regulator with a particular focus on new Large Energy Users.

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