Even Irish clouds have a silver lining

WITH good news on the jobs front now as rare as hen’s teeth, it is especially heartening to see Google increase its already substantial investment in Ireland by setting up a new data centre in Dublin, while a Japanese-based company is creating 100 new jobs in Kerry.

The news from Kerry marks a welcome reversal of recent trends which saw hundreds of Irish jobs lost to low-cost Asian economies. In an ironic twist, JRI America is winding down its software development business at Bangalore in India and moving to Tralee.

No less significant is Google’s announcement that 30 full-time jobs and 200 temporary jobs will be involved at a new €75 million data centre. Ironically, the high-tech operation will tap into Ireland’s naturally cool climate by using outside air to cool equipment instead of turning on costly air-conditioning units. Even Irish clouds have a silver lining.