The delay in the start of construction of Apple's €850m data centre in Athenry is due to an ongoing legal case which has been taken by three objectors.

However, Apple confirmed to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that it is still committed to the site.

An Taoiseach has also confirmed to Minister Cannon that the government is examining potential changes to the Strategic Infrastructure Act to ensure that the planning and legal system works more efficiently when dealing with applications of this nature.

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Fine Gael Minister Ciaran Cannon said: "I'm pleased that An Taoiseach has also maintained contact with senior executives in Apple and that, as late as last week, they have confirmed their continued commitment to investing in Athenry.

"An Taoiseach has also confirmed to me that he has requested an examination of our planning and legal systems as they apply to large developments of this nature.

"The last thing we need in Ireland is a perception to develop internationally that our systems are incapable of dealing with large industrial developments and that delays of two or three years are commonplace.

"I'm of the belief that we can have the requisite robust and forensic analysis of such planning applications but that this analysis can, and should, happen in a much shorter timeframe."

(CD/MH)