The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) recently published Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2026, setting out 19 recommendations to Government aimed at strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness, productivity and economic resilience. The report identifies six strategic areas of challenge and opportunity facing the Irish economy: economic resilience, energy security, the cost of doing business, public sector reform, labour market developments and AI, and leveraging Ireland’s 2026 EU Presidency to advance European competitiveness priorities.

Many of these themes closely align with Dublin Chamber’s longstanding advocacy priorities. The report calls for action to address rising business costs, improve the operating environment for firms, tackle infrastructure deficits and strengthen energy security – issues the Chamber has consistently highlighted as critical to maintaining Dublin and Ireland’s competitiveness.

The report also emphasises the importance of preparing Ireland’s workforce for technological change through continuous learning and skills development, reflecting Dublin Chamber’s calls for more ambitious use of the National Training Fund to support workforce upskilling and lifelong learning. It also identifies Ireland’s EU Presidency as an opportunity to influence the European competitiveness agenda and improve the operating environment for businesses across the Single Market.

The recommendations were presented to the Government’s Competitiveness Summit of Ministers on 13 July. Dublin Chamber will continue to press for action on these priorities through its ongoing engagement with Government.

Read the full report here.