19. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether concerns about energy affordability and security are being raised in Ireland's international engagements on digital investment and data centre development. [69367/26]

Striking the balance between energy affordability, sustainability, and delivering the necessary digital infrastructure that will secure future competitiveness and underpin growth is a key concern for governments globally, including Ireland. Digital infrastructure plays an important role in economic growth, innovation and competitiveness, particularly in priority sectors like AI. We also need to ensure that energy demand associated with digital development is managed in a manner consistent with national energy security, affordability and climate objectives.

The Department of Climate, Energy, and the Environment has primary policy responsibility for leading Ireland’s international engagement on energy affordability and security in key fora such as the International Energy Agency. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and their agencies also have a lead role on data centres and attracting foreign direct investment. Both Departments lead on the Government’s overall response to these issues, which is through the Large Energy Users Connection Policy and the Large Energy User Action Plan. Both Departments are better placed to respond to the Deputy on the detailed sectoral aspects of the policy.

My Department coordinates the Government’s overall international engagement, including in key multilateral fora for energy policy such as the EU.

Progressing an ambitious programme on energy is crucial for the EU’s future competitiveness. As part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ireland is emphasising the need for accelerated deployment of clean energy, including wind, solar and emerging technologies, to deliver decarbonised and affordable power for citizens and businesses. These actions are necessary to secure European energy sovereignty, the need for which has become even more clear since the advent of the conflict in the Middle East and the consequent impact on energy prices.

My Department will continue to support the overall government approach on these issues, including through our role in multilateral fora and through the Embassy and Consulate network.