As Government ministers clash over the construction of data centres, some have argued that Ireland has a “global responsibility” to build them. 

Environment and Energy Minister Eamon Ryan is seeking a change in Government policy that would block future construction of data centres unless they have their own carbon-neutral sources of energy. 

According to The Irish Times, Mr Ryan’s demand was met with strong opposition from Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, resulting in a “heated argument” between the two. 

Ireland currently has 80 centres, but Beachhut PR founder Paul Hayes argued the country has a responsibility to build more. 

“We're like a country now that wants a nation of bakers but we're refusing to grow grain,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“Ryan should take note... it's almost impossible close to the equator to build data centres because you just can't cool them quickly enough. 

“From us up to Norway and maybe something... we have a global responsibility to build data centres.” 

The tech PR head said as a “technology island”, Ireland would be “cutting off its nose” if it blocked hubs in the future. 

Opposition to data centres

Data centres are used to house the IT infrastructure that runs tech companies’ websites, apps and online services.  

All 80 current hubs use the same amount of electricity as all urban households in Ireland, causing some to criticise their usage. 

Those who oppose data centres have argued the Government is playing “Russian roulette” with Ireland’s power supply. 

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith previously told Newstalk that “the requirement that they have for power from the national grid and from the ESB is absolutely massive”. 

“It’s insane when we’ve already been through a winter, where we’ve been threatened at the outset with possible power cuts, that we would even contemplate this.” 

'Feed the rest of Europe'

Mr Hayes, however, argued that the jobs tech provides in Ireland allows us to “feed the rest of Europe”. 

He also suggested more data centres should be built outside of Dublin and in cooler regions where the centres can cool easier, such as along the “majestic Shannon”. 

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