Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Government is seeking to introduce new measures by the end of the year to avoid a repeat of the controversy over Apple's proposed data centre in Athenry.
Speaking at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting at Leinster House last evening, Leo Varadkar said he will not be waiting for the drafting of new legislation.
Instead, he is to ask Minister Eoghan Murphy to amend the Planning and Development Bill 2017 to define data centres as strategic infrastructure.
It's hoped the process will be completed by Christmas - meaning from then on, new applications for data centres will be dealt with solely by An Bord Pleanala.
Mr. Varadkar also outlined further steps being taken by the Government - including a review of the courts system and the development of a national policy on the development of data centres.
Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon says it's vital that we immediately address the underlying reasons for the situation in Athenry.
