East Coast Hosepipe Ban Prompts Dáil Questions Over Data Centre Water Oversight
Thursday 16 July 2026
A newly introduced hosepipe ban on Ireland's east coast has prompted calls in the Dáil for tighter governance over water usage by data centres.
A hosepipe ban scheduled to take effect across several east coast counties has prompted political debate regarding the governance of water consumption by data centres.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Jennifer Whitmore highlighted the frustration felt by local residents who are being asked to conserve water during a period of record temperatures and climate concerns, while pointing to a perceived lack of oversight regarding the volume of water utilised by Dublin-area data centres.
According to Deputy Whitmore, Uisce Éireann has estimated data centre water abstraction at approximately 800 megalitres, or 0.13% of the national average. However, she contested this figure, stating it is lower than the volume recorded by Meta for a single one of its own plants, and called for stronger oversight of the sector's water use.
In response, Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that oversight can be ensured, while questioning whether the opposition was suggesting that such facilities should be shut down or taken out of use.