I welcome the publication last week of the future framework for offshore energy. This was described by the Taoiseach's predecessor as Ireland's Moonshot but it illustrates how much of an onus is on the State to be aligned if it is to deliver this planned approach. There is a seven-stage D map, a marine area consent grid connection, planning approval, state aid-approved auctions, ports and accompanying storage. Does the cross-Government task force have a line of sight on the capacity of the State to deliver on this because it is a big ask in terms of capacity and I do not know whether we have that capacity. One of the significant opportunities of plentiful green energy involves the ICT sector. We have an effective moratorium even on highly strategic data centres, which is another concern for me because it involves the long-term productive use of offshore energy.

I thank Deputy Bruton for raising this issue and for his own work in that Department previously on offshore renewable energy. I share the view of my predecessor that this is Ireland's Moonshot where we go from being a net importer of energy to a net exporter of it. It is a significant opportunity for Ireland, Europe, jobs and our economy. I will get the Deputy an update on the work of the cross-Government task force, particularly how we are capacity planning. From my previous role, I know the work being done on the workforce and skills element of it but I will get that whole-of-government perspective. The issue of data centres is not an easy one but ironically there is a need for progress on this issue to unleash the potential that some of this sector offers. This is an issue Government is continuing to consider.