I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that in relation to Climate Action: — last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched its latest Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections 2025-2030, which show that we are moving in the right direction and improving our performance compared with the previous year; — for the first time, the EPA now projects that we are close to meeting our first carbon budget, following a consistent trend of improving projections for that budget over recent years; — the EPA is projecting a decrease in emissions of between 13 per cent and 25 per cent by 2030 (from 2018 base); — emissions are reducing across many sectors while our population is growing, and our economy is growing; — we now have the lowest level of greenhouse gas emissions in 35 years, and we have decoupled growth from emissions; — Ireland is at the forefront of transitioning to an electricity system dominated by variable renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and indeed renewable sources generated almost half of Ireland's electricity in February, March and April of this year; — significant investment has taken place in increasing the technical flexibility of Ireland's power system to enhance its renewable integration capabilities – through storage and other technologies; — the electricity system in Ireland can operate with up to 75 per cent wind and solar at any given moment; and — there are now 241,000 electric and hybrid vehicles on Irish roads; in relation to, energy affordability: — the Government is deeply aware of the pressures placed on households and businesses by high energy costs, and has taken a number of steps to support households and business; — the National Energy Affordability Taskforce (NEAT) was established in June 2025 to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability; — in recent months the Government introduced a €750 million package of fuel supports, which is among the largest per capita of any European Union state, while Budget 2026 had a range of other measures; — the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate on electricity bills has been reduced to 9 per cent VAT until 2030; — enhanced social protection payments have been introduced, including an increase to the fuel allowance rate and an expansion of the eligibility rules, which applies to about a quarter of Irish households; and — the NEAT continues to work intensively on an energy affordability action plan to be submitted to the Government in quarter 3 of this year; in relation to, infrastructure delivery: — a record allocation of €640 million in Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) retrofitting schemes; — since 2019, we have invested over €1.8 billion in retrofitting, and we have been able to provide energy upgrades for 268,000 homes; — in the first quarter of 2026, over 12,000 homes have been upgraded through SEAI schemes, including over 1,500 homes at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme; — since the formation of this Government, over 70,000 homes have been upgraded, including over 9,000 homes at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme; — Ireland currently has over 8 GW of renewable generation capacity, and onshore wind is the largest contributor to this, with over 5 GW of wind generation capacity and 2.5 GW of Solar Photovoltaics installed, with hydro, biomass, and other small sources contributing the remainder; — Government approval was received in July 2025 for €3.5 billion investment in EirGrid and ESB to facilitate the investment programme of up to €18.9 billion out to 2030, and connection of 5 GW offshore wind; and — the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026, is a timely and important piece of legislation and will make a significant contribution to the prompt delivery of nationally important infrastructure, whilst maintaining robust regulatory, environmental and planning safeguards; in relation to: — data centres are a very important part of Ireland's economic and digital present and future, and a key part of our value proposition for foreign direct investment; — the recent KPMG study on data centres, undertaken on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, reports there are 19,500 directly employed in the industry; — Ireland's industrial electricity demand is primarily concentrated in our digital economy, this is our core energy intensive industry; — the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Data Centre Connection policy published in 2025, clearly set out what is required for a new data centre connection, including the requirement to get 80 per cent of its energy through new renewable sources; and — the CRU decision simply refers to market research data on 5.8 GW of prospective interest in data centre growth, rather than linked to any contractual demand in place at present; and further recognises that: — the Government is committed to taking further action to deliver on the twin objective of decarbonisation and digitalisation in a sustainable and affordable manner; — the Government is committed to delivering on Ireland's responsibility to address the climate crisis, and work remains ongoing right across Government to implement climate mitigation measures every single day of the week; — the priority is driving implementation, particularly on high-impact measures with multiple societal and economic benefits; — the Climate Action Plan will be more focused on the most impactful measures and will report on the ones that make the biggest difference; — the NEAT continues to work intensively on an energy affordability action plan to be submitted to the Government in quarter 3 of this year; and — the Government's Large Energy User Action Plan, published in January 2026 sets out a 'plan-led' approach for very large and energy intensive investments, which due to scale and energy consumption will benefit from coordinated national infrastructure planning.". I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Labour Party Private Members’ motion on data centres, energy use and climate change. However, the Government proposes to reject this motion and put forward a countermotion. The Government is fully committed to delivering on Ireland’s climate ambition across all sectors and to progressing climate action in a planned and coherent way. Our approach ensures that sustainability, affordability, competitiveness and energy security remain central to this policy. This is reflected in our countermotion, where we demonstrate through effective and focused policies and measures that we are making tangible progress towards objectives of decarbonisation while supporting sustained economic growth for wider societal benefits. With regard to climate action, Ireland now has the lowest level of greenhouse gas emissions in 35 years, decoupling population growth and economic success from emissions. The EPA now projects that we are close to meeting our first carbon budget, and a decrease in emissions of between 13% and 25% by 2030. The work remains ongoing right across government to implement climate mitigation measures. The priority is driving implementation, particularly on high-impact measures with multiple societal and economic benefits. Climate action plans 2024 and 2025 provide the basis for this progress. Work is under way on the next climate action plan, with public consultation launched this week. The plan will continue to focus on the most impactful measures. For example, Ireland is at the forefront of transitioning to an electricity system dominated by variable renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and we have achieved record breaking levels of renewable electricity generation, reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. Most notably, emissions from electricity generation are estimated to reduce by between 53% and 60% by 2030. Significant investment has taken place in increasing the technical flexibility of Ireland’s power system to enhance its renewable integration capabilities. The electricity system in Ireland can operate with up to 75% wind and solar at any given moment. The International Energy Agency, IEA, recognised this achievement as remarkable and a global milestone. Ireland currently has over 8 GW of renewable generation capacity, with over 5 GW onshore wind and 2.5 GW of solar PV installed, and hydro, biomass and other small sources contributing to the remainder. The Government has also prioritised unprecedented investment in our grid - of up to €18.9 billion, underpinned by €3.5 billion Government equity investment - and expanding our electricity energy generation, with an emphasis on renewable energy sources, which will be advantageous for all customers and will ensure Ireland's electricity grid continues to provide capacity to support the delivery of Government targets across society and the economy. Infrastructure delivery, and having a grid that is fit for purpose to support this, is critical to future success. The Critical Infrastructure Bill is a central pillar of the Government's accelerating infrastructure report and will make a significant contribution to the prompt delivery of nationally important infrastructure while maintaining robust regulatory, environmental and planning safeguards. Accelerated delivery of infrastructure does not disapply our climate commitments or our national level targets, but recognises an urgent need for the completion of major infrastructure projects in the State. The Bill provides for the disapplication of section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 in very limited circumstances for programmes and projects designated as critical infrastructure. It does not disapply our climate commitments or our national level targets. It will lead to a better balance in decision-making that will lead to accelerated infrastructure while also preserving the rights of the public to access the courts on the legality of the decisions of public bodies. The motion also raised a number of concerns with respect to data centres. Data centres are central to Ireland's modern economy and play a critical enabling role across a wide range of digitally intensive sectors, enhancing the competitiveness of the Irish economy. They strengthen Ireland’s position as a strategic knowledge intensive regional hub for the ICT sector and also support broader retention and expansion of existing investment that supports billions in annual economic value for Ireland via high-wage employment, tax receipts and supplier ecosystems. According to independent analysis, the industry employs 19,500 people directly. Our technology sector, underpinned by data centre infrastructure, accounted for approximately 7% of our total workforce and over half of total services exports. Their value is evident and the Government remains committed to supporting sustainable data centre development as a result. It is important to note that unlike countries like the Netherlands, Germany and the UK, Ireland does not host a large, energy-intensive industrial sector. Ireland's industrial electricity demand is primarily concentrated in our digital economy. This is our core energy-intensive industry. Germany and other countries consume more electricity to support their heavy industry sites like car manufacturing, steel and chemicals. Connecting such large energy loads is a challenge many energy systems are grappling with across the world. In response, the Government’s large energy user action plan, LEAP, published in January 2026, set out a plan-led approach for very large and energy intensive investments, including data centres, which due to scale and energy consumption will benefit from co-ordinated national infrastructure planning. LEAP will enable Ireland to capture next generation investment in a planned and managed way and unlock significant associated economic, employment and renewable energy opportunities. Alongside LEAP, the CRU data centre connection policy sets out what is required for new data centre connections, including the requirement to get 80% of its energy through new renewable electricity generated in Ireland. The Government is acutely aware of the pressure faced by high energy costs and is taking action to help households and businesses with the cost of energy. In recent months the Government introduced a €750 million package of fuel supports, which is among the largest per capita of any EU state. Previously, the Government included a range of measures in budget 2026 to help households with energy costs, namely, an extended VAT reduction on electricity and gas bills until 2030, an increase to the fuel allowance payment and expanded eligibility, which applies to about a quarter of Irish households, and a record allocation of €640 million for SEAI retrofit home energy upgrade schemes. Since 2019, we have invested over €1.8 billion in retrofitting and we have been able to provide energy upgrades for 268,000 homes. These upgrades protect those homes and families from energy shocks and reduce their costs and energy consumption. The national energy affordability task force is working intensively on an energy affordability plan, which will be submitted to the Government in quarter 3. It will include measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses while delivering key renewables commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. In closing, I reiterate that the Government’s amendment reflects the reality of the commitments in place and more importantly the tangible progress being made and further actions being taken to support and reduce emissions and to retain a prosperous and competitive economy, with targeted supports for households and businesses as required. The Government is committed to delivering on Ireland's responsibility to address the climate crisis, and work is ongoing on the next climate action plan. Work across our governance structures, key sectors and in government is under way to outline the key deliverables to continue to reduce our emissions in the most impactful of ways. The national energy affordability task force continues to work intensively on an energy affordability action plan to be submitted to the Government in quarter 3 of this year. The Government’s LEAP advances a plan-led approach for very large and energy intensive investments that will facilitate future investment while unlocking Ireland’s renewable energy opportunities. I reiterate that the Government rejects the Labour Party motion, and I propose the Government amendment that more accurately reflects the reality of the situation.

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