Industry Leaders Appointed to Expand Digital Infrastructure Ireland’s Sector Leadership
Updated: 2 hours ago
New Working Group Structure Strengthens Industry Collaboration to Drive Sector Growth
Wednesday, 9th September 2026: Digital Infrastructure Ireland (DII), the leading representative body for Ireland’s digital infrastructure and data centre sector, has today announced a new organisational structure that will see subject matter experts chair Working Groups across key strategic areas, including policy, sustainability, investment, talent development, and market intelligence. The Working Groups will draw on expertise from across the sector, spanning engineering, legal, project management, talent development, marketing, environment and finance.
The appointments include Garret Farrelly, Partner at Matheson; Louise Parkinson, Director of People Consulting at EY; Linda Clarke, Director of Corporate Advisory at Goodbody; Anthony McDermott, Director at Mitchell McDermott; Conor Dempsey, Director at Mitchell McDermott; Paloma O'Neill, Chief Financial Officer at Hanley Automation Networks; Müge Karasahin, Sustainability and ESG Partner at Ethos Engineering; Stephen Dwyer, Director at Ethos Engineering; and Sneha Kundu, Digitalisation Consultant at Schneider Electric.
The groups will draw on the expertise of DII’s members to develop industry insights, inform policy discussions and support the sector’s continued growth and development. The announcement reflects DII’s ongoing evolution as the collective voice of Ireland’s digital infrastructure ecosystem and its commitment to delivering informed leadership on the issues shaping the country’s digital future.
The announcement comes at a critical time for Ireland’s digital economy, with growing discussion around energy, sustainability, AI infrastructure, investment and international competitiveness placing digital infrastructure at the centre of our economic growth.
Commenting on the establishment of the Working Groups, Ronan Kelly, Chief Executive of DII, said: “The establishment of DII’s Working Groups marks an important milestone for the organisation’s development. The combined expertise of the appointed Chairs, Co-Chairs and their committees will enable greater collaboration across DII and help shape our contributions to key policy, sustainability and investment issues facing our sector. Digital infrastructure is a key pillar of Ireland’s economic success and future competitiveness. Our ability to attract global investment has been built on a reputation for reliability, innovation and delivery, but that reputation cannot be taken for granted. As Ireland continues to strengthen its position as a leading digital hub, DII is committed to providing clear, evidence-based leadership on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry. Continued delivery will be critical to maintaining Ireland’s competitiveness, securing the next wave of investment and realising our ambitions as a leader in hyperscale digital infrastructure.”
“Having taken up the role of Chief Executive earlier this year, I look forward to working closely with the Chairs, Co-Chairs and Working Groups as we continue to demonstrate the vital role digital infrastructure plays in enabling economic growth, driving innovation and supporting Ireland’s digital future.”
The new organisational model strengthens DII’s ability to represent the full digital infrastructure ecosystem, bringing together expertise from across energy, engineering, construction and operations to drive informed industry leadership and advocacy.
DII has also announced updates to its Membership and Partner Strategy, including the introduction of new membership categories for educational institutions, not-for-profit organisations and small businesses. The changes are designed to ensure the organisation remains accessible to a broader cross-section of the digital infrastructure ecosystem and supports greater participation from across the sector. Further details are available directly from DII.
For Further information:
Lucy McGivern, Q4PR, 086 158 7850
Notes to Editor:
About Digital Infrastructure Ireland
Digital Infrastructure Ireland is a global initiative dedicated to driving the growth and success of the digital infrastructure ecosystem both in and from Ireland.
As a partner-driven organisation, our community brings together companies with world-class expertise at every stage of the digital infrastructure lifecycle. From design and construction to operation and maintenance, our partners embody a spirit of “co-opetition” and collaboration that strengthens Ireland’s standing as a global leader in digital infrastructure. Digital Infrastructure Ireland serves as a collective voice for the digital infrastructure ecosystem, helping to ensure it remains a trusted partner for designing, building and supplying digital infrastructure across Europe and beyond.
About the Working Groups
Policy Working Group
DII’s coordinated voice on policy and regulatory matters in Ireland and at EU Commission level.
Chair: Garret Farrelly, Matheson.
Co-Chair: Jo-Ann Garbutt, Digital Realty.
She Connects Working Group
DII’s community for women working and leading in the DI sectors, with a focus on networking and mentoring.
Chair: Paloma O’Neill, Hanley Automation.
Co-Chair: Danielle McBean, Oleson.
Talent & Skills Working Group
Driving initiatives to aid the attraction, development and retention of talent into the DI sectors to preserve Ireland’s world-leading reputation in DII.
Chair: Louise Parkinson, EY.
Co-Chair: Michael Lantry, Gempool
Market Intelligence Working Group
Equipping DII, its partners and stakeholders with the data and insights needed to shape the narrative for the sector and elevate DII’s trusted adviser and thought leadership status globally.
Chair: Conor Dempsey, Mitchell McDermott.
Co-Chair: Jesse Morris, Schneider Electric.
Sustainability Working Group
A central pillar of DII’s activities, demonstrating through science-based data the sustainability the sector can drive.
Chair: Müge Karasahin, Ethos Engineering.
Co-Chair: Niall Durham, Captured Carbon
Deploy to Decom Working Group
Highlighting and reinforcing DII and its partners as leading experts in hyperscale deployment, retrofit, upgrade and decommissioning.
Chaired by Stephen Dwyer, Ethos Engineering. Co-Chair: David Kelly, Turner & Townsend
Outlook Working Group
The forward vision for emerging workloads and technologies, and their implications for the sector and DII’s partners.
Chair: Sneha Kundu, Schneider Electric.
Export Working Group
Championing the indigenous digital infrastructure companies within DII’s partner base and elevating their visibility on international stages.
Chair: Anthony McDermott, Mitchell McDermott.
Co-Chair: Michael Murray, Kirby Group.
Investment Working Group
Working with investment community partners to establish DII and its partners as the trusted first call for capital seeking to deploy in the digital infrastructure sector.
Chair: Linda Clarke, Goodbody.
Co-Chair: Enda Garvey, Matheson.
