Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1304. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the opinion of An Bord Pleanála (details supplied) that it is not clear on the way in which the data centre to be built by a company in Athenry, County Galway, could be powered by 100% renewable sources as claimed. [45845/17]
View answer1305. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if there is an obligation on a company (details supplied) to offset the environmental impacts of its proposed data centre in Athenry, County Galway, in view of the fact the same company was required to do so in Denmark; and if no such obligation was placed on the company, the reason therefore. [45846/17]
View answer1306. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce regulations for the sustainable development of data centres in view of the fines that will be levied on the State in 2020 for missing its emissions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45847/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1304 to 1306, inclusive, together.
Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be involved, including the case the subject of these Questions.
With regard to the role that data centre type infrastructure plays in enabling the development of Ireland's digital economy and the need to maximise certainty in the planning process concerning the delivery of such infrastructure, I intend to introduce amendments to the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016 when it comes before the Seanad, classifying data centres as strategic infrastructural developments for the purposes of the Planning and Development Act 2000. This change will mean that future applications for planning permission will be made direct to An Bord Pleanála and will not have to be submitted to the relevant planning authority in the first instance.
Climate change and renewable energy policy are a matter primarily for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
