In fact, I read a report recently which suggested that the use of data centres will reduce the use of electricity-----

-----rather than having racks in isolated locations all over the place. You commingle and co-share a resource and, ultimately, you reduce the amount of electricity used. We have to be in control of our own data because there are other energy-rich countries that would be delighted to have the opportunity to store European data. If we do not get our act together, somebody will steal our clothes and that will be a loss. There are a lot of tech companies that want to be close to where the data centres are in the contex…

I know Deputy Byrne is taking this for Deputy Ardagh. As he may be aware, the Department and the Minister do not have a role in respect of the delivery of the offshore electricity grid. That is handled by EirGrid as the transmission system operator. I will endeavour, on Deputies Byrne and Ardagh's behalf, to ask EirGrid to communicate with both of them in relation to the projects and where they are at. I am very conscious that our interconnection projects and those that are envisaged will be an integral part of the…

In reality, none of us is happy that there are potential delays. From a departmental perspective and from the Minister's perspective, we are very clear on the importance of getting it done. What I am saying to the Deputy is that EirGrid is independent of the Government. It is established in that way as a TSO and it is responsible through the CRU, which has the potential to be brought before the committee. We are very anxious to do that. Just a slight correction: the Minister reminds me that, in fact, the MOU with S…

I hope the Deputy does not think I am being evasive but I am just providing him with the information I have. I am aware that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, meets with EirGrid monthly. He seeks to get an update on projects and he is very anxious that in all those instances he communicates to EirGrid the Government's priorities in this regard, and the Government's priorities have not changed. We are accelerating the development of infrastructure. There are State agencies that are established with their own independenc…

Plug-in solar systems are very small PV energy systems, usually two or three modules, and less than 1 kW in total per installation. They are connected to a micro-inverter and plugged directly into the normal household socket. This then feeds the house's internal electricity system. These low-cost panels can be put on balconies and outdoor spaces. The use of plug-in mini-solar technology has grown in some EU countries in recent years as consumers search for ways to save on high energy bills. It has seen particular g…

I thank the Deputy very much. He is right. Both he and Deputy Heneghan have continued to raise this matter. The Department is actively engaged on it. It is not good enough to just continue to say there are potential safety issues. We have got to address them, recognising that others have found methods to address those safety concerns. As I have said, we are engaged with our UK counterparts and we are also discussing the regulatory issues in relation to safety with our German counterparts, recognising that they have…

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am very pleased to introduce the Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025 to the House. The Bill completed its passage through the Seanad with some constructive engagement. At its heart, this Bill is about safeguarding public health, protecting our environment and ensuring that Ireland's air quality remains among the best in Europe. However, notwithstanding our compliance with all existing EU air quality standards, air pollution is a silent killer, including in this c…

I thank Deputies McGuinness and Cullinane for raising this issue. The farmers to whom they refer have been farming on the area in question for generations, indeed some of the families involved have had hundreds of years of continuous farming in the same area. However, I am informed by the Department that the land in question is, as the Deputies identified, owned by a third party. Regardless of how that came about or the historical dimension to it, it has to be accepted that it is a third party who owns the land. Th…

I am aware of this issue, obviously, but I am also conscious of the constitutional rights of property owners. Deputy Cullinane says that there is often a grey area and this is black and white. Emotionally, it is black and white. For any of us and for any member of society, the picture that the Deputies paint is black and white in terms of what should transpire, but from a departmental perspective and from a Government perspective, we have to be conscious of the Constitution and the laws and be seen to uphold those …

I thank the Deputies for raising very important issues and matters. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the pressures that households are facing as a result of high energy costs. It is important to say that the Government remains deeply concerned about the conflict in the Middle East, including the Gulf. Ireland has a long track record of support for international law and the UN and we continue to seek de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy so that these issues can be resolved. The Government is also very aw…

Those threatening-----

Before you saw the package.

What a major revelation.

I welcome the opportunity to address the House. I was born on a small farm in east Clare. I know the struggles of my community. I know what it is like for farmers, particularly those with small farms, who have to provide for their families. That has not changed since the time I was going to school. I live among my people. I believe nobody in this House has a monopoly on empathy and nobody has a monopoly on the understanding of the struggles faced by the rural communities. However, there has been an attempt by some …

Ah, will you stop.

Good man, Richard. The people of Ireland have a great representative.

I appreciate the contributions of all who spoke in the debate today, some down standard political lines, but others fully understanding and cognisant of where the Irish economy and the various sectors are at. They are really negatively impacted by the massive disruption to the supply of oil from the Middle East to the Irish economy. At the outset, I thank Deputy Danny Healy-Rae for his comments. I know where he is coming from. As the Minister of State with responsibility for the fishing sector, I know there is no i…

I accept that. The reality is that the carbon tax funds significant investment in reducing aspects of our economic dependence on fossil fuels. Some Deputies talked about a weakness in the SEAI grants scheme. We have brought forward simplification measures, which I am sure we will get to in due course. We are bringing in a grant scheme for windows and doors to help people to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes, so their dependence on fossil fuels is thwarted in the best possible way. We have to continue tha…

At the outset, with others, I join in offering condolences to the McNulty family. I offer my condolences to Geraldine, Joanna and the rest of the family. Of course, we will meet them in due course. I suggest that the Senators contact my office and I will happily engage with them. I thank Senators O'Donovan and Duffy for raising this issue today. Our Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned fishery harbour centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an…