As part of our lobby ahead of Budget 2027, Dublin Chamber met with the Departments of Public Expenditure, Finance and Enterprise during April to discuss our recommendations ahead of Budget 2027. Central to our discussions were measures to increase housing supply and accelerate investment in critical infrastructure across water, public transport and energy, alongside the need to strengthen Ireland’s overall competitiveness through targeted tax reforms.
We reiterated our call to enhance the R&D Tax Credit by improving SME access and removing restrictions on outsourcing and collaboration. In addition, following remarks by the Taoiseach on Ireland’s comparatively high Capital Gains Tax rate, we again advocated for a reduction to 20% on disposals of investments in unquoted, actively trading firms to support greater investment in scaling businesses and promote capital recycling within the economy. Our full Pre-Budget submission will be finalised and submitted to Government in the coming weeks.
Following disruptive protests in Dublin city centre this month in response to rising fuel prices, Dublin Chamber called for an immediate end to the activity significantly impacting businesses and workers. While recognising the right to peaceful protest, we highlighted the disproportionate economic disruption caused by road blockages and disruptions to public transport services. We are continuing to engage with members and the Government on this issue. See our press release here.
This month, we also welcomed progress on the Luas extension to Finglas following the resolution of three cases in the High Court. This removes a key barrier and provides long-needed certainty for a major transport project that will serve a rapidly growing part of the city. We now urge that this progress is matched by faster delivery and priority funding. Current timelines push construction out to 2029, which is too slow given the area’s growth. Bringing this project forward should be a priority, with investment focused on infrastructure that is ready to proceed in the near term. See our press release here.
Last week, Dublin Chamber hosted an engagement with members and Ambassadors at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence, where attendees were addressed by Minister Thomas Byrne and Dublin Chamber President, David Kelly. We took the opportunity to welcome the Department’s recent announcement of the Maritime Security Strategy - a significant step in strengthening the protection of Ireland’s subsea infrastructure, which is critical to economic resilience, digital connectivity and energy security. We look forward to continued engagement with the Minister as businesses navigate an increasingly complex global environment, and to supporting the Department in its preparations for Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency.
On 14 April, Dublin Chamber and Chambers Ireland attended the Oireachtas Committee on Transport to discuss the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Dublin Airport (Passenger Cap) Bill. We argued that the passenger cap is an outdated constraint, undermining Ireland’s competitiveness, connectivity, and export-led growth. The cap limits routes, increases costs, and creates uncertainty for businesses, while failing as an effective climate policy tool. We emphasised Dublin Airport’s role as critical national infrastructure and called for the cap’s removal in line with Programme for Government commitments. For more on our statement, see here.