Taoiseach promised to ‘streamline’ planning for data centres

The government is planning to make it harder to challenge plans for such centres, predicted to use nearly a third of Ireland’s already stretched energy usage by 2029

Micheál Martin: ‘In relation to data centres, the government notes the significant economic investment they represent, but is mindful of the impacts they can have’. Picture: Getty

The government will try to ease the progress of data centre development plans, Micheál Martin told Amazon, according to speaking notes prepared for the Taoiseach’s meeting with the online retail giant.

“We realise the significant role that judicial review can play in the progress of developments like these and government will try to streamline the process,” Martin’s speaking points for a meeting on March 29 with John Boumphrey, the head of Amazon in Britain, said.