I am sure everyone in the House supports the climate action target to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030. A large component of meeting this target is the development of significant onshore renewable energy and even more capital intensive offshore renewables. We are at present facing a perfect storm in terms of our energy security. In the last decade, we had 11 amber alerts on the national grid whereas we have had eight in the last 12 months, even as we phase out fossil fuels. Even so, the Government is availing of ongoing discussions regarding data centre development, which will account for up to 35% of future electricity generation. Will the Government provide a new real-time analysis regarding the present trajectory in data centre development but also in terms of meeting the infrastructure developments required to deliver on our climate targets?

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As he knows, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid are working closely with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan's Department to ensure that we have security of supply across this winter and, indeed, into the future and have taken certain steps to ensure that is the case. In regard to data centres, there is a balance to be struck. We, of course, have to recognise the additional pressure that places on the system, but we also have to recognise the success we have had and continue to have in regard to foreign direct investment by companies which would be associated with this space. Sixteen of the top software companies, nine of the top ten US information and communications technology companies, the top ten “born on the web” companies and four of the top five IT services companies are all based in Ireland. There is a balance to be struck. We absolutely have to ensure we have security of supply. The Deputy is well aware of the overall policy of Government, which is ultimately to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and to reduce carbon emissions. I think the future in respect of renewables lies offshore. We have put in place another framework that will help us deliver on that in the years ahead.