The proposal for a new data centre by Google Ireland at Grange Castle Business Park in South Dublin was rejected earlier this week by the South Dublin County Council. Columnist and economist, David McWilliams, criticises this decision in his recent article, commenting that Ireland’s growing caution towards data centres, mostly of their enormous electricity consumption, lacks foresight. He argues that the increasing demand to store huge quantities of data, from videos and photos to memes, calls for a rise in data centres. He contends that in an age that is dominated by digital technology and showing no signs of a return to the analogue era, the need for data centres is set to explode as will the desire for photo storage on our mobile phones.
A persistent issue that seems to have disappeared from the headlines recently is the continuing attempts of migrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea in order to reach Europe. In an in-depth report, Sally Hayen has gotten the accounts of some individuals who have chosen to undertake this dangerous journey. A startling number, over 30,000, have either died or vanished on the Mediterranean Sea over the past ten years. Hayen conducted interviews with a group of men, primarily of Bangladeshi origin, who were saved from two boats on the same day by medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Their stories of being exploited or held for ransom were disturbingly common. One, a 37 year old man named Reza, recounted how he had gone to Libya to earn money following his wedding only to be abducted at gunpoint on the street and held for a ransom.
The irony of the universe certainly manifests itself in football. In a laughable twist of fate, the temporary England coach Lee Carsley’s inaugural match took place in Dublin and against Ireland. As the search for Stephen Kenny’s replacement commenced, Carsley was on the list of potential successors and had discussions with the FAI search team. However, he chose to remain within England’s framework.
A profile by Gavin Cummiskey highlights the esteemed coaching skills of Carsley, one-time Republic of Ireland centre fielder, which have earned him one of the most respected positions in world football.
In other news, as TV celebrity Graham Norton readies his fifth book for publication, he looks back on fame, his upbringing in west Cork, and shares a anecdote featuring his seriously sick mother in a London hospital. Despite the overwhelming emotions, he continued with his TV hosting gig that night. Comedic actor Barry Humphries, one of his show’s guests, consoled him, implying that work could serve as a form of distraction. Norton concurred, saying that keeping busy was a coping mechanism, helping both him and his recuperating mother.
In political news, the next Administration – the composition of which is yet to be determined due to a significant number of TDs not intending to stand for re-election, resulting in a different looking Dáil – will have to manage the varying needs of a quickly expanding and aging population. Essential services like education, health, housing, and transport are feeling the pressure of growing demand propelled by immigration and increased life expectancy. These pressing issues are explored by Martin Wall.