136. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he supports designating LNGs or data centres as strategic infrastructure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41395/24]

I presume the Deputy is referring to the landmark Planning and Development Bill 2023 has been approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas. Once it is enacted, The Act provides once in a generation reform updates and streamlines planning system providing clarity, consistency and certainty.

The Seventh and Eighth schedules of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended), already provide for such facilities to be designated as Strategic Infrastructure Development and its maritime equivalent. This is the planning legislation that is currently in force and, as such, any application for planning permission would be directed to An Bord Pleanála in the first instance in accordance with that Act.

The Planning and Development Bill 2023, which has recently been approved by both houses of the Oireachtas, includes a technical provision relating to strategic gas infrastructure. This provides for consistency of treatment within the new legislation for onshore and offshore facilities and ensures that the statutory role of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities in respect of strategic gas infrastructure applies to both. The amendment made in this regard in the Seanad was to prevent any legal uncertainty arising as regards the categorisation of offshore LNG projects in the context of the transfer of planning functions for the foreshore.

I am not aware of any proposals to designate data centres as Strategic Infrastructure Development and they are not currently designated as such under the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended).