316. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered statutory conditions, on planning permissions or grid and gas connections for data centres, that prohibit their use for military or intelligence purposes by any foreign state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75208/26]

Lead policy responsibility for the development of data centres as core digital infrastructure is held by my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Lead responsibility for energy (including in relation to the electricity grid and gas) is held by my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, with matters relating to connection to the grid and the regulation of utilities being a matter the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities. My Department engages with other Departments as required with regard to the development of planning policy and legislation which is of relevance to data centre and energy development, including in relation to the preparation of National Planning Statements.

Under Section 34 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, a planning authority may, when assessing a development proposal, decide to grant permission with or without conditions, or to refuse permission.

The consideration of appropriate conditions that should be attached to a grant of permission relate, in general, to ameliorating or limiting the effects of the proposed development on the surrounding environment, its location and in the interests of the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Practically, in considering, whether to attach a planning condition the Planning Authority needs to consider whether such a condition is necessary, relevant to planning, relevant to the development to be permitted, enforceable, precise and reasonable. The Development Management Guidelines (2007) provide further details in this regard.