Irish environment minister defends water use by data centres

Irish Environment Minister Darragh O'Brien has defended the water consumption of data centres in Ireland, following reports that these facilities used up to one billion litres of water in the previous year. The minister's comments come amid growing scrutiny of the environmental impact of the country's rapidly expanding data centre industry, which is a major hub for global tech companies. O'Brien argued that the water usage is managed responsibly and that data centres bring significant economic benefits. Critics, however, raise concerns about sustainability and resource strain, particularly during periods of drought. The debate highlights tensions between Ireland's tech-driven economic growth and its environmental commitments.