Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh: Jigginstown Data Centre Threatens Kildare
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh warns that the proposed Jigginstown Herbata data centre in Leith, Kildare would overwhelm local infrastructure, drive up costs and worsen the climate crisis. She sets out the project’s scale, environmental footprint and local political response, and calls for rezoning and community action.
Project scale and resource demands
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh details the size and consumption of the proposed Herbata complex: an area seven times the size of Croke Park, reportedly using three times as much electricity as the whole of Kildare annually and drawing 18,000 litres of water a day. She highlights the strain such a development would place on already stretched local services and future housing supply.
Environmental and cost consequences
Ní Raghallaigh warns the facility would rely on gas and could emit up to 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 a year-equivalent, she says, to half a million cars. She links the project to higher household and small-business energy bills, worsening noise pollution and falling property values in nearby residential areas.
Local action and political response
The speaker explains that Sinn Féin councillor Noel Connolly will bring a motion to Kildare County Council to force rezoning before any application is lodged. She announces a protest outside Áras, Kildare at 1:30pm on 28 September and frames the council motion as a step to protect communities.
Demand for leadership
Ní Raghallaigh argues the government is prioritising multinational investment over public good and calls on ministers to stand up to tech firms. She says the number of jobs projected does not justify the environmental and social cost and concludes that the proposal must not go ahead.
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Baibh Uíochas agaibh a'all le Pobl Reo Bheabaibh, se sapton ru in Ús ar Góir, and for giving me as well the opportunity to highlight the disaster that is the Gigantstown and Herbata data centres in Leith. The people in Kildare have serious concerns about this development of the data centre. Profits of corporations are being put before livability of the town as well as the livelihoods and wellbeing of its residents. The scale of the proposed project in Gigantstown is terrifying. If built, the Herbata complex would span an area seven times the size of Croke Park, reportedly consume three times as much electricity as the whole of Kildare annually, as well as 18,000 litres of water a day. This would jeopardise urgently needed future housing in the county by placing additional pressure on stretched infrastructure. The massive drain on energy resources by data centres will also lead to spikes in bills for families and small businesses who are already struggling to keep the heating on and the lights on, and the government is willfully and recklessly allowing the situation to deteriorate. The environmental impact is equally alarming. The data centre proposed for Gigantstown will rely on gas and emit up to 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year. That is equivalent to the emissions of half a million cars. If allowed to go ahead, this project will spell disaster, worsening the already dire cost of living, housing and climate crisis. The hyperscale facility would create further problems in terms of noise pollution and property valuation due to being planned mere metres away from an established residential area. We are not against data centres wholesale, but there has to be a balancing of interests. At the moment, government is neglecting the public good in favour of wooing multinational investment. In terms of cost and benefit, the number of jobs created would be minimal and does not justify the harm the development would inflict on the environment and the quality of life of the community. The project simply must not go ahead. The land must be rezoned before the Gigantstown application is submitted. Sinn Féin councillor Noel Connolly will bring a motion to Kildare County Council that would oblige the Chief Executive to initiate the rezoning process. There will be a protest outside Áras, Kildare at half one on the 28th of September when this motion is being discussed. The motion before us tonight is consistent with that objective and represents an important step towards restoring balance and protecting communities. For too long, companies are drawing on Ireland's natural resources while our citizens bear the costs. The government needs to finally show leadership, stand up to tech and say enough is enough. The government needs to finally show leadership, stand up to tech and say enough is enough. Thank you.
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