Digital infrastructure groups merge

Two key digital infrastructure organisations are merging to drive the growth and success of the digital infrastructure ecosystem in and from Ireland. Host in Ireland and Digital Infrastructure Ireland will join together under the Digital Infrastructure Ireland name, reflecting both the criticality of the industry and the need for urgent action by the Irish Government to advance the sector in Ireland.

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Digitalisation and National Development Mr Jack Chambers TD will give the keynote address at the Digital Infrastructure Ireland Launch event next week which comes after five years of a de facto moratorium on the data centre industry and investment by-passing Ireland due to policy ambiguity and uncertainty.

The founder of Host in Ireland, Garry Connolly, said the industry needs one powerful voice to champion the digital infrastructure industry. “Ireland and the Irish digital infrastructure ecosystem have long been trusted global partners for designing, building, and supplying digital infrastructure. The industry needs a collective voice to represent the diverse sectors and communities that drive this critical industry. While the ecosystem has soared in recent years, the industry here at home faces serious challenges, including energy constraints, sustainability, and regulatory uncertainty.”

“It’s time to try something new. The CRU consultation should initiate a collaborative effort, bringing together government, agencies, and industry leaders to plot a course for Ireland and this trillion dollar global industry. Ireland's energy challenges demand immediate action from top public and private experts to address grid constraints, solutions, and investments—not just in the medium and long-term, but immediately, as there are too many opportunities in limbo. Now more than ever, we must move beyond incremental steps and take giant leaps to embrace bold, forward-thinking policies. We need to build on Ireland’s 60+ year history with data by embracing a future that demands us to be creative, brave, and relentless."

To guide its strategic direction and ensure a partner-driven vision remains at the forefront, Digital Infrastructure Ireland is establishing a Strategic Advisory Board. This board will be composed of industry leaders and professional experts who will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the organisation. The initial Advisory Board will be co-chaired by the long-established data centre industry veteran, Maurice Mortell, and Michelle Wallace, COO for Host in Ireland.

“The challenges we face as an industry in Ireland are getting serious and require a proactive and robust approach to advocacy and awareness. A lack of policy clarity is putting future investment at risk," said Maurice Mortell, co-chair of the advisory board at Digital Infrastructure Ireland. “The Government must take an active role in enabling the next wave of cloud and AI-driven growth, or Ireland will be left behind as other markets seize these opportunities. Digital Infrastructure Ireland is committed to addressing these issues through collaboration, advocacy and proactive engagement with policymakers to ensure the industry can continue to thrive.”