Chambers Ireland Responds to Budget 2026: A Budget of Two Halves

Chambers Ireland has responded to Budget 2026, describing it as “a budget of two halves”.

Speaking today, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland Ian Talbot said that Budget 2026 offers welcome commitments on infrastructure and housing but leaves some questions unanswered for the business community:

“We welcome the investment proposals and the clear acknowledgement that housing and infrastructure delivery needs to be addressed. These are long-standing priorities for our Chamber Network. Translating these commitments into real progress on the ground will be essential.”

He continued:

“There are several measures that have the potential to unlock stalled projects and breathe new life into our urban centres. It is positive that the Living Cities Initiative is extended. We also welcome the emphasis on high-density housing developments and the new measures to incentivise appropriate development such as the Derelict Property Tax.”

Talbot said that it was a Budget of two halves, warning:

 “Most businesses won’t experience any direct benefit from today’s measures. Instead they are dependent on the trickle down impact of critical infrastructure delivery. Their future competitiveness is also increasingly reliant on a growing number of ‘Action Plans’ but these must be converted into delivery mechanisms.

In addition the minor change to the taxation of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) will do nothing to divert the €160+ billion sitting in low-yield deposits into more productive, tax generating investment.”

“With our strong economy and resulting tax returns we have a unique opportunity to substantially change the tax system to encourage risk-taking, rather than making incremental changes to existing rules.” Talbot said. “But that opportunity is slipping away. We will never have as good an opportunity to make bold reforms that support entrepreneurship and innovation.”