There are eight large data centres, that fall outside Government rules, due to be connected to the national grid within the next three years.

That's according to People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith, who was speaking as Taoiseach Michéal Martin said there can be no ban or moratorium on the building of data centres.

However they will have to prove they can produce their own energy if necessary.

Calling Mr Martin's comments "a sort of a moratorium", Deputy Smith told The Pat Kenny Show there are already loopholes in this.

"There are in fact eight, very large data centres who fall outside that moratorium - and are due to be connected to the national grid within the next three years.

"The amount of power that they will require will be a total of 1.5 gigawatts.

"We're already in trouble for our gas supplies, much of electricity is generated by gas still unfortunately.

"But within that context, we have an industry - like an empire - striking back and pushing back and saying 'Oh no we're not part of the problem, we're part of the solution'.

"But you're looking at 1.5 gigawatts of power off the national grid going to eight new data centres.

"We currently have 70, and there are 30 under the moratorium, but eight are definitely to be connected.

"And we're saying you cannot do this, you cannot connect them because we're already down to the nth degree and risking possible blackouts.

"And people, as we know, are paying through the nose for the power that they receive into their homes - and it's just totally unsustainable".

While the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned that Ireland's emissions increased by 4.7% last year.

It puts emissions at 1.1% above pre-pandemic rates.

The figures suggest Ireland is almost certain to breach its carbon budget limits for 2025, and will struggle to get close to its legally binding commitment to cut emissions by 51% by 2030.