Thu Sep 19 08:17:38 UTC 2024: ## Amazon Celebrates 20 Years in Ireland, Calls for More Data Center Investment

**Dublin, Ireland** – Amazon marked its 20th anniversary in Ireland today with an event highlighting its growing presence and calling for increased investment in the country’s data center infrastructure. Amazon executives expressed concern that Ireland is missing out on billions in data center investment compared to other European countries.

Neil Morris, AWS country lead for Ireland, pointed out that the company has announced over €30 billion in investment in other European locations, including Spain, Germany, France, and the UK. He emphasized the need for Ireland to address its energy policy and offshore wind energy development to attract further investment from companies like Amazon.

The event also saw Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan criticize planning refusals for data centers in Ireland, citing concerns about insufficient electricity capacity and lack of renewable energy sources. He stressed the importance of data centers for the AI revolution and called for a more open approach to their development.

Meanwhile, Amazon announced the upcoming launch of Amazon.ie, which is expected to boost the company’s sales, deliveries, and demand for Irish products. John Boumphrey, Amazon’s country manager for UK and Ireland, declined to specify a launch date, but confirmed that pricing would be localized.

Amazon also announced a return-to-office policy for its employees, requiring five days a week in the office. While acknowledging the potential for employee departures, Boumphrey emphasized the benefits of in-person collaboration and the company’s flexible work culture.

In a separate statement, Russell Grandinetti, senior vice president for international stores at Amazon, advocated for Ireland to play a leading role in reducing trade barriers within the EU. He praised the recommendations of the Draghi Report, which criticized the EU’s overregulation and called for more open trade.

The event highlighted the evolving role of Amazon in Ireland, emphasizing its commitment to growth and innovation while advocating for a more supportive environment for data center investment and open trade policies.

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