Letters to the Editor: Voices left unheard over data centres
'Many reports have been published about the vast quantities of energy and water these data centres demand in order to operate.' File picture
There is a growing grassroots movement within Ireland and other countries worldwide in opposition to the scale and speed of the tech giant’s rolling out of data centres/data centre hubs/parks.
Many reports have been published about the vast quantities of energy and water these data centres demand in order to operate.
Contribution to global warming is another huge side effect of the expansion of this industry.
As a nation, we should not just sit back and welcome this development with our renowned “Irish welcome into the parlour”, without deep, honest questioning, and evaluation of risks and benefits to society, I could go on.
This industry has a huge influential lobby group working with and in tandem with our politicians in the Dáil and in the European Parliament.
Our politicians didn’t just wake up one morning and decide Ireland needs data centres; no, the lobbyists have been whispering in their very open, gullible ears for a long time.
Where can the concerned people living in Ireland express their concerns?
Contact your local TD I hear you say.
With exception of the smaller parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael elected representatives unwaveringly toe the party line. So that’s out the window.
I am calling on the Government to give a voice/platform to the non consulted, unheard people of Ireland.
Listen to their voices in a calm informative manner.
Please show leadership and the same concern the general public has by, firstly, reintroducing the moratorium on further development of data centres for 12-18 months.
Second, set up a task force with terms of reference to do a deep analysis of the industry; its potential unchecked expanding power over government, society, and community; and the benefits it can bring to society in general vs the harms.
Members to be appointed from non-governmental organisations with expertise in the field.
Also please include representatives of the general public.
This task force should have an operational time scale of 12 months, with reports within six months of initial set up.
It should compile a list of actionable recommendations to Government.
Indeed, to save time and costs, it could do worse than view the recordings of the AI and climate environment and energy joint committees of the Dáil, which I have been following.
These committees invite submissions from the general public.
Not everyone is equipped or has the skills and time for making lengthy submissions (maybe in front of Dáil cameras).
Bring grassroots consultation to the people at the grassroots of the opposition to these data centres.
Lastly, and most important, the report’s recommendations must be acted upon and not left in the shelf to gather dust.
Our voices are never heard in Leinster House, while the lobby groups have open and ongoing access.
Where does that leave the power of our vote?
As an Irish citizen, I see the concept of united Ireland as a breeding ground for anti-British sentiment.
In fact, it is the bedrock of it.
A united Ireland is not a reason to be anti-British.
Just imagine how we would all feel about each other on this troubled island if a united Ireland was not a factor?
It is the fundamental motive for anti-British sentiment. It is the mother of the ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality because of aspirations of a 32-country republic.
If nationalist/republicans want to get on better with unionists, then they should think about how they would feel about unionists if the old chestnut was not a factor? It will take a bit of imagination but they should try.
A united Ireland is a theory, not an imperative, nor a necessity.
Is it worth being anti-British because of it? Nationalist republicans, notwithstanding unionists, should also think about how it would make them feel and give them some peace.
Rather than being something which must be achieved and all that goes with that.
A united Ireland has been a pretext for a great number of evils in Northern Ireland for sure. I have never liked the idea of anti-Britishness resulting from the old chestnut.
I very much dislike such sentiment among our people in the republic.
Many Irish people are brainwashed to believe that there is some obligation on them to be anti-British because of the cause of a united Ireland.
This is a product of ignorance and indoctrinative conditioning.
From what I have read, I think the violent protests in France and elsewhere are mainly because elected representatives are not listening to or representing their people.
I recommend that all our elected delegates act on behalf of the people of Ireland; otherwise, we may see similar aggressive protests.
Our recent skirmishes may well be a warning sign.
St Paul (Galatians 3:28) states: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: For ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Indeed, the Catholic Church has never been short of words on equality and inclusivity.
It is, therefore, very difficult to comprehend the National Synodal Assembly’s decision, last Saturday, not to recommend a national office for women as anything but a missed opportunity.
For generations, Irish women have been the quiet but indispensable backbone of parish life, sustaining faith through prayer and choir, through voluntary service, and the everyday work of ‘keeping the doors open’.
Declining even a modest structure to ensure women’s voices are heard suggests that the harmony of inclusion is welcome in principle but optional in practice.
In a world where women still face inequality in so many forms, the Church should be the institution which leads by example, not one that proclaims equality to others while hesitating to practise it at home.
