1. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the climate action plan progress reports for the remainder of 2024 will be published by his Department. [16740/25]
Sentiment score: 0.14
There is a real concern that we will be simply unable to meet our targets. Figures from the CSO, published last week, show 22% of Ireland's electricity in 2024 was consumed by data centres and that demand had increased by 10% in one year. We recently saw the Secretary General of the Department of the environment raising concerns about the potential conflict between expanding data centres and meeting housing needs, particularly due to climate targets and energy demands. It seems that Ireland must now import significant amounts of electricity to power these data centres. The demand from data centres is driving increased natural gas usage in Ireland and soaking up any additional renewable energy as it comes online. How do we square the circle? Everyone accepts that we must ensure the retention of jobs and that we have become a digital leader, but how can we sustain this level of growth? Is it credible for Ireland to keep allowing so many data centres to locate here? We, and others, have called for moratoriums until we can see how to square the circle.
Sentiment score: 0.18
There are some indications that, for example, data centres themselves can drive change and ensure they become net zero but we need the Government to take the lead on this.
Sentiment score: 0.20
We are not seeing that happen currently.
Sentiment score: 0.00
These are Taoiseach’s Questions, not questions to the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.00
9. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on his Department’s interdepartmental group report on the Dublin city task force recommendations. [22232/25]
Sentiment score: 0.00
I have two questions about the task force. We see a huge number of issues in Dublin that need to be addressed urgently. There is a deteriorating public realm, vast numbers of vacant sites and derelict buildings, mouldy and damp social housing, including issues with social housing complexes in my constituency, and a lack of joined-up thinking about keeping spaces safe. Given the need for funding to be put in place to implement the recommendations of the task force, will the Taoiseach consider allowing local authorities to levy a hotel bed tax if they wish in order to raise funds to be invested in local infrastructure? That is my first question. Second, will the Government ensure the maintenance of face-to-face public services? I speak in particular about postal services. It is somewhat ironic that the chief executive officer of An Post was the independent chair of the task force, yet An Post has been closing postal services in Dublin city. I speak particularly about Rathmines post office, which was in an iconic 1934 building in the heart of Rathmines. We have just learned it is to be closed by An Post, with the service to be moved elsewhere and, apparently, the building to be put up for sale. This sends an unfortunate signal to communities. We are seeing face-to-face public services close and iconic public realm buildings being put up for sale to the private sector. That is a loss to the community. We have seen the loss of Citizens Information Board face-to-face services, and this in turn has a negative impact on the public realm. What does the Taoiseach propose to do about this?
Sentiment score: -0.02
The hotel bed tax.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I think it will be €12 million.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The closure of services.
Sentiment score: 0.00
18. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the progress of the national security strategy. [26917/25]
Sentiment score: 0.21
In December 2022, I wrote to the Taoiseach, who was the then Tánaiste, and the then Taoiseach, former Deputy Leo Varadkar, seeking updates on the national security strategy and also seeking briefings for Opposition leaders on national security, as is standard in many countries. That was in the context of Russia's brutal war in Ukraine, the cyberattack on the HSE and reports of Russian spies in Ireland. Since then, desperately sadly and tragically, we have seen 20 months of Israel's genocidal bombardment and onslaught upon the people of Gaza and, most recently, an escalating war in the Middle East with Israel now openly attacking Iran. I urge restraint, as I know the Taoiseach has done, from both Israel and Iran. I ask this because EU foreign ministers are to meet with southern neighbourhood countries next Monday, 23 June. I understand those countries include Israel. In light of what Israel is doing on the world stage and in Gaza, will Ireland be participating in that meeting with Israel? Has the Taoiseach called for Israel not to be included in that meeting? Closer to home, I also want to ask about a story that has been highlighted by my colleague, Deputy Alan Kelly, on concerns about the control of firearms in Ireland, in particular with how the Garda Commissioner handled the incident around a controlled delivery to a vulnerable young man. Deputy Kelly has also raised issues with holsters and the storage of weapons in Garda headquarters. Is the Taoiseach satisfied with the Commissioner and with An Garda Síochána's handling of these matters?
Sentiment score: -0.12