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SOCIAL NETWORK GIANT Facebook is expected to lodge a planning application today for a new data centre in Meath.
The company last week published plans to build a European data centre in Clonee, which would create hundreds of temporary construction jobs and dozens of permanent jobs upon completion.
The investment is thought to be worth around €200 million and will bring Facebook’s Irish staff numbers to over 1,000.
It will be Facebook’s second data centre in Europe and their fifth worldwide. It is expected to be powered by renewable energy, most likely wind.
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The plan will go to Meath County Council today, with phase one of the plan seeing a 50,000 square metre development spread over two buildings. The plan will see the Kilbride Road upgraded.
A third single-storey building will be constructed in phase two.
Rachel Peterson of Facebook, said: “Ireland has been a home for Facebook since 2007 and today’s planning application demonstrates our continued interest to invest in Ireland. We hope to build an innovative, environmentally friendly data centre that will help us continue to connect people in Ireland and around the world – while supporting local job creation and Ireland’s successful technology economy. We look forward to continuing our conversations with the Clonee community in coming weeks.”
Jackie Maguire, the CEO of Meath County Council said they had worked hard with all the stakeholders including IDA Ireland to attract this leading global company to the county.
“This application sends out a clear message to the business community in Ireland and abroad that Meath is open for business.”
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If the European Parliament and that of several national Parliament would not install them… What is it with the clowns here that thinks that it is ok… It’s like the famous printing machine that was too big to fit onto the building… It’s only taxpayers’ money with no countability
Won’t make much difference if they get rid of the Hikvision cameras the Chinese will just fly a balloon above the Oireachtas Buildings at a great height. Who will we get to shoot it down for us. The Yanks or the Brits perhaps?
Why has the ICCL suddenly developed an interest in National Security ? I wonder would it have anything to do with their funding ? Seems to be an attempt to stir up some Sinophobia . Who would want to do that ?
The possibility of the Chinese government viewing what goes on in the houses of the oireachtas should be considered our first line of defence, by boring the Chinese into submission!
Well, if this human rights org really concern about the CCTV that made in china, then they should suggest the Irish gov looks into its green energy scheme as well, The Solar Electricity Grant. China controls 80% of the solar tech supply chain, 97% Solar Grade Silicon and Wafers… 50% equipments, there is export restrictions for some solar techs. If they can spy from CCTV, then They can collect data from solar panels somehow. So they shouldn’t use anything that made in China, just in case. :) Do people really think China is interested what happens in oireachtas? Or just Sinophobia?
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