Alan Dillon
Mayo · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Landlords are generally not in a position to supervise day-to-day waste management practices within occupied properties. The Government therefore has significant concerns regarding both the practicality and effectiveness of these provisions.”
“The Government has commissioned an independent study to examine the feasibility of moving Ireland's household waste collection system from the current side-by-side competition model to a franchise-based system. That study is examining the environmental, economic, operational and consumer implications of alternative market structures.”
“If the evidence supports significant changes to the market structure, the Government will consider those recommendations carefully. If the evidence suggests improvements can be achieved through strengthened regulation, enhanced enforcement or targeted reforms within the existing framework, those options should also be considered.”
“We also want to see a well-designed waste collection system that not only delivers environmental benefits but also provides householders with the opportunity to reduce their own household waste costs through reducing residual waste, correctly segregating recyclable materials and correctly segregating organic materials.”
“We have a lack of capacity so we need to continue that, and investment certainty is really important in that regard but also to enable Ireland to meet both our national and European obligations, which are far reaching. These will all benefit from a stable and predictable policy framework.”
“Ireland requires continued investment across the waste and resource sector. We need investment in collection infrastructure, recycling capacity, material recovery technologies, organic waste treatment, digital systems and innovation. Those making long-term investments require certainty regarding Government policy.”
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“I thank the Deputy for the question and for his interest in this important area. The warmer homes scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of homes owned by people at risk of energy poverty by providing fully-funded retrofits. The scheme is operated through the SEAI on behalf of the Department and is funded through the carbon tax receipts and the European Regional Development Fund. The scheme seeks to reduce the volume of energy a household needs by reducing heat loss through the installation of insulation and ventilation in the first instance, before moving to replacing heating systems where required under building regulations. This is in line with the fabric first and energy efficiency first principle and best practice. There are a number of home energy improvements offered as part of the scheme.”
“That would be a game-changer for many reasons would present a real circular economy initiative, to the Deputy's point, avoiding the exposure to the export market.”
“To be clear, the plastic that is recycled is traded on the open market by Re-Turn. The State is constrained in intervening by EU state aid rules. That is why we comply through the EU waste framework, ensuring there is a regulatory environment to support Irish recyclers. All operators in Ireland can play a role in that . It is a complex challenge and we want to continue to provide support. With the supply chain we now have through PET plastic, we can continue to work with the industry on how we can support companies here and reduce our reliance on the export market. This is why Re-Turn is actively planning a multimillion euro facility to bring bottle-to-bottle PET recycling to Ireland.”
“We are engaging with Re-Turn with regard to a bottle-to-bottle PET plant. Certainly, we want to have more domestic capacity for recycling.”
“I reassure the Deputy that Re-Turn has collected over 12,000 tonnes of this PET plastic, 34% of which, as I said earlier, is purchased by Irish companies. Separately, we have Repak, which funds the recycling of over 8,300 tonnes of plastic, 42% of which is reprocessed in Ireland. Is it enough? We need to do more and that is widely acknowledged. Certainly, with the introduction of the DRS, we have made a significant step forward with regard to fully recognising the stream of product that we have as a result of having a dedicated collection system for PET recycling. We also recognise that we need to continue to invest in recycling infrastructure. That must grow and that is why, through the extended producer responsibility, EPR, schemes, Re-Turn and Repak are now investing in their domestic capacity.”
“Together with the requirement under the single use plastics directive to incorporate 25% of recycled plastic into PET beverage bottles from 2025, rising to 30% from 2030, the opportunity to invest in Ireland's circular economy has been boosted significantly.”
“Ireland does not have some facilities which convert PET waste into rPET flakes or pellets, but we do not currently have a facility producing pellets of a food-grade quality. Due to strict EU food safety standards, rPET to be used in food or drink packaging must meet the highest recycling standard to be of food grade. Prior to the introduction of the deposit return scheme, PET plastic waste collected through our waste collection system was mostly recycled abroad. Since the introduction of Re-Turn, the deposit return scheme, DRS, operator can confirm that in 2024, it collected a total of 12,057 tonnes of PET plastics, which were sold on the open market. A total of 4,037 tonnes of material, which equates to 34%, was bought by companies in Ireland. For the first time, a separate and high-quality stream of PET is now available for recycling.”
“I thank the Deputy for his question and interest in this area. As matters stand, there are no official statistics confirming the number of rPET pellets produced or utilised in the State or the amount exported from the State. While statistics for the recycling of plastic packaging waste are reported to Eurostat by the EPA on an annual basis, the EU’s list of waste codes does not isolate individual polymers and, therefore, it is not possible to establish how much of this PET material is in existence. This is a shortcoming in the system and Department officials have engaged with the European Commission in relation to expanding the list of waste codes to provide greater granularity for plastic polymers.”
“A core element of that work is to ensure that we have connections for the 50,000 new homes that we will be building every year up to 2030 because we know how important good connections are for many areas right across the country to try to boost that supply.”
“I could not agree more. This certainly is the most ambitious energy infrastructure programme we have seen in decades. It is akin to the rural electrification scheme. It will certainly put Ireland in a strong position in terms of our competitiveness. It is also required because industry leaders are looking for certainty and security of supply. We also need to build resilience into our network. I am delighted to see that the private wires Bill has been approved for drafting this week. That will unlock much needed private investment and speed up the clean power connections. A lot of work is being done by the Departments of enterprise and Climate, Energy and the Environment.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. My dual roles as Minister of State in the Departments of enterprise and climate and energy are very much aligned in the context of policy. From an enterprise perspective, we have the policy of propelling prosperity. Within that is the provision of unprecedented investment through ESB Networks and Eirgrid. This will provide over 500 projects under price review 6, more than 181 km of new overhead lines, 319 km of underground cables, nearly 70 substations and the replacement of over 50,000 poles. As the Deputy stated, it will be the accelerant for us to deliver with regard to new homes, supporting enterprise and industry, reducing our curtailment and strengthening the security supply. We all know - even in Louth - that there is major industry which requires a strong energy supply.”
“The Government equity investment will also support the integration of renewables and help to reinforce vital energy infrastructure across the effects of extreme weather events, thus enhancing the country's energy security. Extending and reinforcing the grid will ensure that every home and business has a reliable and secure source of electricity, including the 300,000 new homes the Government has committed to build by 2030.”
“A further €2 billion will also be allocated to EirGrid over the next five years to support the financing of its offshore electricity grid investment plan. The mechanism for making this payment will be agreed and legislated for separately next year. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities, CRU, also published its final determination on price review 6 this week, which paves the way for a historic investment of over €18.9 billion in Ireland's energy infrastructure. This represents approximately two and a half times the spend under the previous price review period, PR 5. The equity investment in both ESB Networks and EirGrid will support the financing of this unprecedented investment over the next five years.”
“I thank the Deputy for her question. In July, the Government approved a €3.5 billion investment in Ireland's electricity infrastructure across 2026 to 2030 as part of the revised national development plan. This represents the largest single investment in the country's electricity network in its history. Some €1.5 billion was transferred this week from ESB Networks to support investment in the onshore electricity grid. The Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill, which was enacted in November, provides the mechanism for making the investment in ESB. As part of the oversight measures in place, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will receive quarterly monitoring reports as to the expenditure of the investment and progress on delivery of the overall price review, PR, 6 investment programme.”
“Given the reasons I have outlined, particularly the recent Government decision on subminimum youth rates of the national minimum wage, the forthcoming public consultation on and development of the action plan for apprenticeships, the current protections of interns and the negotiation of the EU traineeship directive, I urge the House to reject the National Minimum Wage (Inclusion of Young Persons, Apprentices and Interns) Bill 2025.”
“A trainee with an employment contract or employment relationship is entitled to the suite of employment protections, the same as any other employee. We want to ensure the directive does not create a third category of worker which could entitle trainees to fewer or greater employment protections when compared with others. While the intent of this Bill is commendable and its subject matter deeply important, we must ensure the legislative response is robustly assessed, informed by evidence and provided for within an appropriate legislative framework. It is for these reasons I have recommended this Bill be opposed.”
“Therefore, national minimum wage rates apply to work experience placements, work trials, internships and any other employment practice, regardless of the duration of the engagement. The right to receive the minimum wage when work has been performed cannot be waived in a contract, and any provision in an agreement to do so is void as a matter of law. It is also important I highlight the work being done at EU level on the EU traineeship directive. The Commission proposed the directive in March 2024 with two objectives: to improve and enforce the working conditions of trainees as workers and to combat regular employment relationships being disguised as traineeships. For Ireland, it is important the directive does not create a third category of worker.”
“Therefore, while the Government acknowledges the intent of this Bill, it does not necessarily provide any additional and enforceable rights to interns not already available in the current legislation. All individuals engaged under a contract of employment are covered under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 and are thus entitled to the national minimum wage. An important point is that a contract of employment is defined as any contract, however it is described, whereby an individual agrees with another person to do or to perform personally any work or service for that person or a third person. There is no exemption in law from the obligation to pay the rates laid down in the National Minimum Wage Act when actual work is being performed.”
“I understand the Private Members Bill is particularly concerned with arrangements where a person is undertaking work of benefit to an enterprise or other host organisation with the danger that such internships could be exploitative. Arrangements which may be described as internships are not defined by Irish legislation. The designation "intern" by itself has no bearing on the determination of the employment status of an individual engaged. Under current employment law, a person is either a trainee, a volunteer or an employee, where employees are protected by the National Minimum Wage Act and are accordingly entitled to the protections of that Act.”
“The final category of workers covered by the Bill is interns. The Government believes all workers should be rewarded for the work they perform and that no individual should be exploited by performing work and not being rewarded fairly. The Government strongly believes genuine internships, based on a training opportunity, can be mutually beneficial for interns who gain first-hand real-world experience, and for employers who gain from having another individual to perform tasks, often with a fresh perspective in the case of current students and recent graduates. It is important to protect genuine internships and, in this regard, we have been careful with any legislative change we consider.”
“This new action plan, which is a programme for Government commitment, has a headline target of 12,500 annual apprenticeship registrations by 2030, with approximately two thirds concentrated in craft and construction-related disciplines. A public consultation will seek the views of all stakeholders on how the system can be improved and then made more inclusive and better aligned to our national skills needs. That will commence shortly. We want to hear back from the sectors that desperately need these skilled apprenticeships and very much hope this will be an inclusive consultation process. Any evidence submitted as part of this consultation will inform the development of the action plan and the development of evidence-based policy on the exemption of apprentices from the national minimum wage.”
“The Government is strongly committed to continuing to grow and strengthen Ireland's apprenticeship system. We have demonstrated this with substantial investment in expanding apprenticeships in recent years, with investments of €67 million, €77 million and €79 million over consecutive budgets from 2024 to 2026. This amounts to a more than doubling of the annual allocation since 2020. This investment will deliver significant results. Annual apprenticeship registrations have increased from 5,326 in 2020 to 9,352 by the end of 2024. Furthermore, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is committed to developing a new action plan for apprenticeships to cover the period from 2026 to 2030.”
“Apprentices are employees and all of the 78 apprenticeship programmes are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer, with the employer paying the apprentice during both the on-the-job and off-the-job training elements. For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay applying under the employment contract are either agreed within the relevant sector or are set out in legally binding sectoral employment orders recommended by the Labour Court. I am fully aware of the importance of apprenticeships as an education and training route for our people, and of the importance of apprenticeships in our economy. Many have recognised that importance.”
“When the national minimum wage was introduced in 2000, it was determined that apprenticeships would be excluded from that Act. Apprenticeships were and continue to be excluded from the national minimum wage in recognition of the unique nature of apprenticeships and the fact that a long-established practice for determining rates, which adequately protects apprentices, exists. Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of education and work experience. When the national minimum wage was first introduced, it was recognised that providing an exemption for apprenticeships would promote and encourage employers to focus on training apprentices and offer opportunities for them while at the same time recognising the cost to employers in terms of time invested and productivity forgone.”
“This decision was considered in the context of the recent significant increases in the minimum wage. We should also remember that the current system of youth rates is based on a percentage of the full minimum wage. When the minimum wage increases, these subminimum rates also increase, with young people in receipt of those rates seeing a commensurate increase in their wages. My Department recently published an economic impact assessment of the Low Pay Commission's recommendations to abolish subminimum youth rates of the national minimum wage. That report echoes the Low Pay Commission's finding that this is a complex issue that will require the full deliberation and consideration of Government. I will consider the treatment of apprenticeships under the National Minimum Wage Act.”
“For example, the incidence of subminimum rates varies considerably among those of that age. Senator Joe O'Reilly referenced the statistic that five out of six employers do not pay the subminimum wage. If we look at those in receipt of those rates, we see that only 7% of those aged 19 receive the subminimum rate, but 46% of those aged 18 or under are paid that rate. There is a disproportionate concentration in different sectors and ceilings. We also know that subminimum youth rate employment is disproportionately concentrated in areas such as the accommodation, food and wholesale and retail sectors. Earlier this year, as part of measures designed to support and build resilience in businesses and support competitiveness, the Government agreed to defer a decision on subminimum youth rates until 2029.”
“Subminimum youth rates are the age-based regime of the national minimum wage, where those aged 19 and under can be paid a percentage of the national minimum wage. Employees aged 18 and 19 are entitled to a subminimum rate of 80% and 90%, respectively, of the overall national minimum wage. The subminimum rates for employees aged under 18 are set at 70% of the national minimum wage. The current regime of subminimum youth rates was introduced in recognition of the statutory restrictions on young workers' working hours and conditions, to protect youth employment and to avoid incentivising early school leaving. We know that the majority of young people are not in receipt of these rates and are instead paid the full minimum wage. We also know that this is a very complex and nuanced issue.”
“When we look at adjusted purchasing power standards, we have the fifth highest minimum wage in the EU. The Bill proposes to make changes to the National Minimum Wage Act. The Government's view is that this a significant policy change in the operation of the Act as it is currently drafted and may be counterproductive to work under way at national and European level. On this basis, I propose that the House opposes the national minimum wage Bill 2025. I will address the sections of the Bill separately to explain the rationale behind each of the recommendations provided. I will turn to the first group of workers that are the subject of this Bill, that is, young people. I acknowledge everyone who is in the Gallery tonight.”
“In 2024, we saw a significant uplift of 12%, or €1.40, in the minimum wage, while this year the minimum wage will increase by 80 cent, with an increase of over 6%. From 1 January next year, we will see the national minimum wage increase again by 65 cent, which represents a further 4.8% increase to €14.50. By any yardstick, that is significant and is recognition of our commitment to continue to support low-paid workers and ensure they get fair wages. These increases were and are ahead of inflation and projected wage growth and have brought about substantial real wage growth for low-paid workers in our economy. Our current rate of €13.50 an hour means that Ireland has the second highest minimum wage in the EU, second only to Luxembourg, and is among the highest in the world. That is recognition of where we have travelled since 2020.”
“When considering any changes to the national minimum wage regime, we have to make sure we strike the right balance between a fair and sustainable rate of pay for low-paid workers that does not have a significant impact, or negative consequences, for employers and competitiveness. In that regard, from the outset, it is important to note that the Government continues its commitment to fair wages, specifically for low-paid workers in our economy, and the very real progress it has made in raising the national minimum wage in recent years by way of substantial increases. I am astonished that no one has acknowledged the significance of the 33.7% increase since 2020 in the national minimum wage, from €10.10 to today's rate of €13.50.”
“I thank all the Senators for their very insightful and important contributions to this debate. I congratulate Senator Cosgrove on the introduction of her first Bill to the Seanad, Senator Harmon on seconding it, all the Bill sponsors and those groupings who have supported this. I have no doubt significant effort, time and consideration went into the drafting of the Bill. We acknowledge that. This is an important issue. The subject of pay entitlements for young people, apprentices and those working as interns is really important. It is something that Government wants to continue to support.”
“Of the total number of incidents, about half were assistance to the health service and over 120 involved evacuations of injured or sick persons from offshore islands. Finally, 27 incidents involved mountain rescues, 21 incidents involved medical evacuation of personnel from vessels at sea and the rest involved missions in assisting An Garda Síochána in missing person searches. In conclusion, Coast Guard SAR aviation services are regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority. The Minister for Transport does not have any role in the regulatory oversight of this essential State service or the contracted service providers.”
“During the transition period, the Irish Coast Guard's aviation service continues to provide the highest standard of service to mariners, maritime and offshore communities and wider State support, particularly to the health service. The transition to the new aviation contract with newer, more technologically advanced helicopters is delivering a service better capable to respond and operate in a wider range of areas. The Coast Guard’s new fixed wing aircraft service has enhanced the search and rescue and pollution monitoring capabilities. It is also available to support other State agencies where necessary. Over the past 12 months, the Coast Guard helicopters were deployed 929 times, saving 461 lives and assisting another 376.”
“All the helicopters will utilise the latest technology, which includes modern night vision flying equipment. In addition, for the first time, the new contract includes a fixed wing element which is being delivered by Bristow subcontractor, 2Excel Ireland, using two King Air aircraft. The fixed wing element of the service enhances the Coast Guard’s maritime and inland search and rescue capabilities, most notably through the provision of top cover communications for long helicopter missions, a life-raft drop capability, maritime environmental protection measures, including investigation of pollution and ship casualty reports, and capacity to transport up to three ambulatory patients for emergency and international transfers.”
“It is a data-driven scientific approach and a key feature of the transition to date has been the engagement by the new service provider, Bristow Ireland Limited, with the employee representative organisations Fórsa, Unite and IALPA. This engagement resulted in Bristow Ireland subsequently concluding collective bargaining agreements with the three organisations. Bristow Ireland continues to actively engage with CHCI staff who wish to take up a position with Bristow in advance of their move to their new positions and contracts. The new aviation service contract provides an enhanced specification which includes six latest generation search and rescue AW189 helicopters, five of which are newly built and have been accepted into service by Bristow. The sixth helicopter is scheduled to arrive in Ireland shortly.”
“Aeronautical Notice O.58 is being updated by the IAA, and the Department is being consulted, as required by the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 in cases where regulations affect the Irish Coast Guard. The updated aeronautical notice will also reflect the application of the IAA-approved fatigue risk management system, FRMS, regulation, which is in accordance with international best practice for aviation safety as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization. FRMS, a relatively new concept, is one of a number of systems used in the aviation industry to manage fatigue and rest time among flight crews.”
“In this instance, Aeronautical Notice O.58 provides that in the case of search and rescue, where certain safety requirements are met, only 25% of standby time shall count for the purpose of calculating cumulative duty. Consequently, where an operator defines a duty roster with a standby period, normally during night-time hours, and certain conditions are met in respect of rest facilities, including the opportunity to achieve a period of eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, then only 25% of the standby period is counted for the purpose of cumulative duty towards the maximum limit of 2,000 hours annual working time. The new contract provides for the provision of suitable rest and sleeping accommodation and a requirement that on duty flight crews remain on base for their full tour of duty as a means of enhancing overall flight crew safety.”
“In Ireland these are detailed in a direction published in the IAA's Aeronautical Notice O.58, which gives effect to Council Directive 2000/79/EC concerning the European Agreement on the Organisation of Working Time of Mobile Workers in Civil Aviation and the European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Mobile Staff in Civil Aviation) Regulations 2006. The directive makes provision for the maximum annual working time of 2,000 hours, to be calculated on the basis of an aggregate of both duty time and standby time, whereby only some elements of standby for duty assignment would be calculable towards the annual working time. In Ireland, the IAA is the competent authority for the enforcement and oversight of the national regulations made to transpose the directive.”
“The service is transitioning from CHCI to the new service provider, Bristow Ireland Limited, and this transition will be completed by the first quarter of 2026. Both service operators have the necessary IAA approvals to operate search and rescue services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. Notably, these include approvals regarding compliance with the Organisation of Working Time Act, in particular the requirements for flight time limitation schemes and rest requirements for crew members, including helicopters.”
“While the Minister for Transport does not have a role in the regulatory oversight of the service, be assured that the safety of our SAR aviation crews is his overarching priority. The majority of personnel who were employed by the outgoing contractor are exercising their option to take up similar positions with the new operator of the service. The amendment is tabled noting that the Irish Coast Guard aviation service is regulated by the IAA, and that it will only approve the operation of the Coast Guard aviation service once the operator has demonstrated that the service is compliant with all national and international regulations and is operated safely. There are currently two contracted service providers of the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue aviation service in the State.”
“I advise the House that the Minister of Transport does not have any regulatory oversight of the contracted service providers of the Irish Coast Guard aviation service. The competent regulatory authority for this service for the purposes of enforcement and oversight of the relevant national, EU and European Aviation Safety Agency regulations is the IAA. As the motion relates to a regulatory matter falling within the statutory powers of the IAA, the issue is not a policy matter for the Government and the Minister for Transport has no function in determining the rules regarding working hours, flight time limitations and shift patterns of search and rescue crew members. In these circumstances the Minister for Transport has tabled the amendment to the motion.”
“I move: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the provision of an effective Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) service is critical to Ireland as an island nation with a strong maritime sector, and the sector depends on the reliability and professionalism of the Irish Coast Guard and all its component parts, including Coast Guard helicopter crews; and — the aviation service contract allows the Coast Guard to meet its obligations as prescribed in the National Search and Rescue Plan, the National Maritime Oil/HNS Spill Contingency Plan and its capacity to support other State agencies, in particular inland SAR support to An Garda Síochána and provision of Air Ambulance services to the Health Service Executive, including day and night support to the island communities; recognises that: — the continued delivery of safe, efficient, and effective aviation services for the Irish Coast Guard is the overarching priority for the Government; — the safety of SAR crews, in particular, is of paramount concern; and — the introduction of new Fatigue Risk Management Systems, and enhanced crew rest facilities, under the new contract, provide a step-change in ensuring continued SAR crew safety and wellbeing; and accepts that: — by law, matters pertaining to working hours, flight time limitations, and shift patterns of SAR crew are entirely a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority, as per their regulatory remit; and — as such, these specific matters are de facto outside the remit of the Minister for Transport.".”
“6 relates to ensuring that money borrowed by the ESB and its subsidiaries shall not be used to invest, directly or indirectly, in a "fossil fuel undertaking" as defined in the Fossil Fuel Divestment Act of 2018. The ESB is not an investor in fossil fuel undertakings. It is also highly likely that investing in such an entity would be incompatible with the ESB’s net zero strategy. It is worth mentioning that the ESB’s net zero pathway report, which was published in 2024, specifically sets the ambitious goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2040. I recognise the very positive intent behind the proposed amendments by Senator Higgins, but I am not in a position to accept these amendments. I hope the Senator feels reassured that they are not necessary based on the information I have provided.”
“In addition, the ESB has signed up to the climate action framework for the commercial semi-State sector, which was developed under the 2021 climate action plan. The framework includes a series of five commitments related to: governance of climate action objectives; emissions measurement and reduction targets; emissions valuation in investment appraisal; circular economy and green procurement; and climate-related disclosures. The commitments under the framework reflect requirements that apply to the public sector more generally, as set out in the climate action plan. Given the existing commitments and obligations that the ESB must take into account in the performance of its duties, I do not believe it is necessary to include an additional provision in this Bill. As such, I am not in a position to accept the amendment. Amendment No.”
“5 relates to ensuring that money borrowed by the ESB and its subsidiaries shall be used in a manner that is consistent with the national climate objective and the climate action plan. It is worth highlighting that ESB Networks is already a relevant body under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 in respect of its distribution system operator, DSO, functions. Duties of a relevant body include performing its functions in a manner consistent with the most recent climate action plan, national adaptation framework and approved sectoral adaptation plans, and the furtherance of national climate objectives, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the effects of climate change in the State.”
“Money borrowed by the ESB for the purposes of PR6 will be used to deliver over 500 capital projects right across the transmission and distribution networks. This includes 181 km of new overhead lines, 319 km of new underground cables, nearly 70 new and upgraded substations across the country and 50,000 pole replacements. The investment does not relate to energy infrastructure that is connected to liquefied natural gas. As such, I do not believe the Bill will benefit from the inclusion of either of these provisions. In addition, it is for the board of ESB to decide what projects it wants to consider in the best interests of the company. I am not, therefore, in a position to accept these additions. Amendment No.”
“It is very much the Government's ambition and commitment to support data centres that contribute to economic growth and efficient grid usage, such as prioritising waste heat and capturing district heating for other local use. That is an important element. As such, I cannot accept the amendment. I propose to respond to amendments Nos. 3 and 4 together as both relate to prohibiting the money borrowed by ESB to be used for the purposes of energy infrastructure relating to liquified natural gas. I first underline that the investment required under PR6 relates specifically to investing in the electricity grid and its development. As we are all aware, electrification is crucial for decarbonising the energy system, while also reducing our dependency on natural gas and moving away from the use of fossil fuels.”
“That is why it has included a commitment in the programme for Government to develop a comprehensive plan that will accelerate energy generation, connectivity and the planning process. That plan will guide the development of data centres in Ireland and provide certainty for industry with regard to making short- and medium-term investments. I, too, was on a trade mission in Sweden with Enterprise Ireland where I saw the scale of Irish companies which are building out the Swedish economy in regard to data centres. They include Kingspan, Sisk, the Kirby Group and Suir Engineering. These Irish companies are providing high-quality jobs building data centres for the Swedish economy.”
“We understand the importance of data centres, which have been a significant component of Ireland's economic and digital future. We understand that. There is a reason we have ten of the top ten tech companies here in this country. They serve as an anchor for high-value investment in Ireland and reinforce our reputation as a global leader when it comes to digital infrastructure and support a crucial sector. As the Taoiseach said last week in the Dáil, there are Members of the Opposition who want to take those high-quality jobs away from us but those jobs put food on the table for many households and families. The Government is determined to continue to attract large energy users in the medium term by proposing an holistic approach that integrates the Government's ambition to decarbonise and digitalise but also to develop the economy.”
“It would deliver energy security into the future, supporting Irish families and communities across the country while significantly improving network resilience, which will include future proofing it for generations to come. As Senator Cosgrove has outlined, we need to build that resilience because we have much more frequent storms. Indeed, we have seen from Storm Éowyn the significant destruction that occurred along the west coast. This is the reason the Government is investing record levels in our infrastructure delivery. With respect to data centres, PR6 specifically takes into account the currently contracted data centre demand. That has been factored in up to 2030. As Senator Casey has outlined, this is not either-or.”