Because while firms operating massive energy users like data centres publicly say they come to Ireland in large numbers primarily because of the “temperate climate”, let me state this yet again: a key unspoken reason has long been the tiny energy rates they pay here compared to many other jurisdictions.
That homes and small businesses bore the main energy tax burden for so long is scandalous. Ireland has consistently had one of the strongest-performing economies in the world for decades. Ireland’s outlier, incredibly low corporate tax rates for multinationals, plus other perquisites, have played a significant role in generating astonishing wealth for US corporates here.
“Because, if we don’t do this and if energy is going to go up 30 per cent every year, then forget it, we’re out of the game.”