James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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139. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there are plans to review, revise or update the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy dated July 2022, and in particular in the area of ‘islanded’ data centre developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10573/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Government policy on data centres is articulated in the July 2022 ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy’.

The statement makes clear the Government’s preference for data centre developments that are decarbonised by design and can demonstrate the additionality of their renewable energy use in Ireland. It clearly states that ‘islanded’ data centre developments, that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation, would not be in line with national policy.

The Government has included a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a comprehensive plan to accelerate energy generation, connectivity, and planning processes.

The commitments in the Programme for Government will guide any future policy developments and statements.