IDA concerned over Apple plant, but still cling to hope

IDA Ireland have admitted they have had serious concerns about Apple’s €850million data centre at Athenry for months following a series of planning delays.

Hopes for the venture were dealt a serious blow on Friday when Apple CEO Tim Cook refused to commit to proceeding with the project during a meeting with Leo Varadkar in San Francisco. This was despite finally being given clearance for planning after two years of delays.

Speaking yesterday, IDA CEO Martin Shanahan admitted the objections to the project, which were raised by a small number of people, had impacted on Apple’s plans.

He told RTÉ’s This Week that it was ‘obvious over the last number of months that there were concerns... given the time it was taking to get through the planning process.

‘That was much longer than anybody would have expected, certainly much longer than the company would have expected... there was always the possibility as this dragged on that it may impact on Apple’s plans.’

But although Apple appear to have gone cold on the idea, Mr Shanahan says there is hope it will go ahead.

‘I don’t think this is the final word on it. Apple have said they will continue to consider Athenry in the context of their future plans.’

After Friday’s meeting with Mr Cook, the Taoiseach told reporters that he had not received ‘a start date, or a definite commitment’ for the project, which is of particular importance to the Government because it signals investment west of the Shannon.

‘Certainly, from our point of view, we really impressed on them very strongly how much the Government is behind the project, how we will do anything within our power to facilitate it, and how the people of Galway, and Athenry in particular, really want it to happen.’

Mr Shanahan also admitted that Ireland needs to work on providing solutions to problems such as housing supply – issues which would be considered by companies like Apple when deciding to invest.

Context of future plans