Debate erupts over pausing new data centre projects in Ireland
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan argues for a moratorium on data centre construction, while Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne warns it would push development abroad.
In a televised debate, Lynn Boylan called for a halt to further data-centre builds, arguing that the sector’s surge is crowding out essential services such as housing connections and affordable power, illustrated by a €100 million substation in west Dublin that now serves data centres rather than homes. She warned that unchecked growth could strain the electricity grid, threaten gas supplies by winter 2032/33, and undermine climate targets.
Malcolm Byrne responded that stopping construction would merely shift projects to other countries, and highlighted the economic benefits of data centres, including 170,000 direct tech jobs and the potential to become a hub for green digital infrastructure. Byrne advocated for expanding renewable energy, co-located renewable parks, and the Private Wires Bill to help the grid, while noting that the regulator has said higher electricity prices cannot be blamed on data centres.
