Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
66. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to designating any data centres as critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51478/26]
View answerThe Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 provides a statutory basis for the acceleration of decision-making around projects and programmes that are designated as critical infrastructure. The Act requires that all reasonable steps be taken by public bodies, both individually and collectively, to progress any functions they may have in relation to these projects and programmes as quickly as possible.
The Critical Infrastructure Act defines 'infrastructure' as any infrastructure that enables essential facilities and systems of the State to function effectively and includes but is not limited to:
(a) transport facilities, including ports and airports, and transport systems, including roads and railways,
(b) energy generation, transmission and distributions systems, and
(c) water supply, wastewater and waste management systems.
The Act allows the Government to designate projects or programmes as constituting critical infrastructure. However, it defines 'project' as something the purpose of which is the delivery of infrastructure, and is funded by capital investment, by or on behalf of the State or by or on behalf of a public body, with programme defined as a programme comprised of two or more projects.
Therefore, it is clear that the power of Government to designate critical infrastructure is limited to projects or programmes that are by or on behalf of the State or a public body.
