Government energy policy serving corporations, not people, says Boylan

Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has accused the government of handing over Ireland’s energy grid to big businesses at the expense of households, our climate and neutrality.

Boylan noted that twenrty years ago, Ireland had some of the lowest energy costs in Europe, now Ireland has some of the highest.

“That didn’t happen by accident – it happened because Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael sold out the people to serve corporate interests,” she said.

“Five years ago I warned this government about its reckless energy policy. Since then, data centres have mushroomed across the state – devouring a quarter of our electricity demand, driving up bills, and choking the grid.”

She said the government’s pro-data centre policy has resulted in a strain on Ireland’s electricity grid, and consumers are the ones paying the price.

“The results are clear: skyrocketing arrears, amber alerts and the threat of blackouts, and gridlock that makes it harder to connect badly needed homes. Families are paying more while billion-euro corporations get subsidies and red-carpet treatment.”

The Sinn Féin MEP also noted the “moral cost” of the government’s energy policy.

“Microsoft’s Irish data centre’s were powering the AI systems used in Israel’s genocide in Gaza until they finally blocked Israel from accessing this tech in recent days.”

“This isn’t neutrality – it’s complicity. Corporate greed meant that Irish households were effectively subsiding war crimes every time they paid their bills.”

Boylan said that the government was warned they could not have it both ways, and they need to choose between homes and data centres.

“They made their choice – and at every turn, they chose Big Tech.”

“It’s time for change. We need an energy system run for the public good, not private profit. One that powers homes, not corporate war machines.”