248. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the assessments the State makes of the ultimate beneficial owners, creditors and lien-holders of foreign entities that acquire Irish data-centre projects after permission is granted. [75218/26]

My Department is the National Competent Authority with responsibility for inward investment screening.  The Screening of Third Country Transactions Act, 2023, commenced on the 6th of January 2025, provides for the implementation of Ireland’s inward investment screening mechanism.

The mechanism provides for assessment, investigation, authorisation, mitigation or prohibition of foreign investments based on a range of security criteria.

Transactions, that meet the criteria under the Act to be mandatorily notified, are assessed according to the factors set out in Section 13 of the Act, including consideration of the parties to the transaction.

My officials conduct a rigorous assessment of the transaction that includes examining the ownership structure of the parties to determine whether or not the transaction affects, or would be likely to affect, the security or public order of the State. As part of this assessment, my officials consult with colleagues across Government, including those appointed to the advisory panel under the Act. Officials also consult with the EU Commission and relevant member states depending on the details of the transaction.