Speech by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Dublin Chamber AGM Thursday, 26 February 2026

President, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and esteemed members of the Dublin Chamber, good evening.

Tá an-áthas orm a bheith libh tráthnóna. Tá ríméad orm go bhfuil mé in ann a bheith páirteach in ócáid atá an-speisialta.

Thank you, Mary Rose (CEO Dublin Chamber), for the kind invitation to join you in celebrating Dublin’s remarkable business community.

It is a real pleasure to be with you tonight at this prestigious gala dinner.

I want to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of outgoing President Eoghan Quigley, and to congratulate David Kelly on his ratification as President of Dublin Chamber for 2026.

David brings with him deep experience in infrastructure delivery, energy transition and strategic leadership – all areas that are central to this city’s and indeed our country’s economic future.

I wish him every success in this role and look forward to working with him in the year ahead.

Tonight is also an opportunity to recognise the unique role Dublin Chamber plays in Ireland’s economic life.

For almost 250 years, Dublin Chamber has helped shape this great city - contributing greatly to Ireland’s prosperity and success.

Economic Outlook

We meet at a time of significant global change.

Across the world, economies are adapting to geopolitical developments, shifting supply chains, and rapid technological change.

We recognise the uncertainty which this situation causes for businesses.

This is not easy for any companies – large or small.

As a Government, we will continue to respond to new developments with calm judgement; we will not act impulsively.

While we are not immune to these disruptions – we are meeting them from a position of strength. The Irish economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent years, maintaining strong growth and employment despite a volatile global environment marked by tariffs, trade tensions, and shifting international supply chains.

Robust domestic demand, diversified export markets, and a dynamic technology and services sector have helped Ireland absorb shocks that have disrupted other advanced economies, and we are very focused on maintaining this resilience for the years ahead.

Employment remains at historically high levels, with strong participation across the workforce.

Strong human capital is a critical element of our success, and we also benefit enormously from the presence of overseas workers, who also add so much to our communities and cultural life.

Our current strong position did not happen by accident.

It reflects the talent, ambition and resilience of people and businesses across Ireland - many of whom are here this evening.

However, we must remain vigilant in protecting our interests and our successes, and in proactively shaping our future.

This includes backing our business community by delivering important, strategic investments, by ensuring responsive enterprise policies, and by fostering a vibrant and diverse economy.

Through Budget 2026 we have set out measures to support businesses and prepare for the challenges ahead - to protect jobs, boost the resilience of our economy, and support regional development.

Our state agencies, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and others are stepping up for Irish firms, providing supports and helping them navigate new realities.

Action Plan on Market Diversification

Our Action Plan on Market Diversification is our proactive strategy to ensure Dublin and Ireland stays ahead of global shifts – not simply reacting to them.

We set out a comprehensive, whole-of-government reassessment of how Ireland engages with global markets.

It sets out a path to support Ireland’s businesses, large and small, to adapt to the global trading environment by striking out into new and diverse markets while deepening engagement in existing markets.

Planning has begun for a Trade Horizons conference here in Dublin, with a regional focus on Latin America and the Caribbean, aimed at promoting access to new and emerging overseas markets.

For Dublin businesses, many of which are among Ireland’s most internationally oriented, market diversification means new customers, new partners, and greater resilience in the face of global volatility.

Competitiveness

We are also working to ensure Ireland remains a trusted, stable and attractive location for businesses navigating a rapidly changing world.

Last year, we published our Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.

With a focus that includes productivity and innovation, competition, infrastructure, and sustainability – I believe this Plan is well aligned with Dublin Chamber’s own priorities.

Crucially, the Plan prioritises what is within our own control.

Complementary to the Action Plan, the Cost of Business Advisory Forum has brought together enterprise, from retail and tourism to agriculture and the multinational sector, alongside Government Departments and State Agencies.

The Forums is examining the concerns of enterprise around the impact of the rising cost of doing business in Ireland.

I know that Dublin Chamber has been an active participant on this Forum, and I want to thank you for your valuable insights on the concerns of enterprise.

The Forum will provide the basis for a series of regulatory reforms to streamline how Government engages with the business sector.

The Government is committed to keeping Ireland a stable, trusted, and dynamic place to do business. Through targeted investment in infrastructure, skills, and innovation, we are helping enterprises, from SMEs to multinationals, grow, compete, and create jobs.

Our reforms reduce barriers, improve efficiency, and strengthen cost competitiveness, while engagement at the EU level ensures Ireland is central to the effort to drive greater competitiveness.

In that context, 2026 is an exciting year for Ireland as we prepare to assume the rotating Presidency of the European Council in July.

While our priorities have not yet been finalised, the agenda of the Council throughout 2026 will have a strong focus on competitiveness and the strengthening of the single market.

I am aware that this is a priority for many members of Dublin Chamber.

Accelerating Infrastructure

We know also that timely and efficient infrastructure delivery is essential to our competitiveness.

The Government’s revised National Development Plan signifies the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State - €275 billion in infrastructure over ten years.

It is an investment in homes, jobs, and the long-term strength of our economy.

This substantial capital injection is expected to boost the long-term growth potential of the Irish economy by enhancing productive capacity, improving connectivity, and reducing structural bottlenecks.

Investment in modern housing and urban infrastructure increases labour mobility and supports population growth, while funding for energy and digital infrastructure strengthens efficiency and competitiveness across sectors. In short, the plan not only addresses immediate social and economic needs but also lays the foundations for a more resilient, high-growth economy for decades to come.

However, it’s clear that additional expenditure alone cannot address infrastructure deficits. We also must transform how critical projects are delivered.

If Ireland is to remain competitive, infrastructure delivery must be faster, more predictable and more efficient.

We also need to reduce the role of the courts in infrastructure delivery – planning decisions should be made by planners, not lawyers.

To this end, in December, the Government launched the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan.

This sets out a comprehensive programme of reforms to break through inertia and accelerate the delivery of infrastructure that our people, communities, and businesses urgently need.

An example of such reform is the recently updated Infrastructure Guidelines – the rules that govern how State bodies make the case for investing taxpayer money in capital projects.

Housing

This Government is all too aware of the pressing need for the provision of additional housing – here in Dublin and nationwide.

I have described it as the country’s single most pressing social issue.

I understand its centrality to social cohesion, competitiveness and economic strength, and we are making progress on it.

In 2026 alone, capital funding of over €9 billion will be provided for housing.

This represents the largest ever level of State investment in infrastructure and housebuilding in the country’s history and the weight of this investment will be put firmly behind leaner, more efficient and faster supply of the homes we need.

Recently, the CSO reported that over 36,000 new dwellings were completed in 2025.

These figures are very welcome and signal a clear ramp-up in supply.

We are committing an unprecedented level of investment to deliver social and affordable housing. Our approach is unique globally in its strategic combination of public and private capital.

Recognising that the scale of Ireland’s housing need, estimated at around €20 billion annually, cannot be met by the State alone, public funding is used to unlock and guide private investment.

Through the Land Development Agency, publicly owned land is assembled, planned, and made available under structured agreements that align private development with social objectives.

We are also taking action to support increased capacity, innovation and productivity in the construction sector.

This will ensure we continue to maintain the momentum that is now in place.

Increasing supply is the single most effective way to moderate price growth, improve affordability, tackle homelessness, and allow more people to put down roots in communities.

Our new housing plan recognises this and expects that everyone will play their part in delivering the homes we need and tackling the challenges we face in housing today.

Water Infrastructure

A key enabler to increasing our housing stock, particularly here in Dublin, is of course, our water and wastewater infrastructure.

The majority of drinking water for the Greater Dublin Area comes from the River Liffey.

The Liffey cannot sustainably cater for current and projected increased demands.

I am very pleased that Uisce Éireann is advancing major projects in the greater Dublin region, most notably the Water Supply Project for the Eastern and Midlands Region, and the Greater Dublin Drainage project.

These are two of the biggest infrastructure projects in the history of the state.

They will help provide a sustainable and resilient water supply and wastewater capacity to support housing and commercial growth in the region.

Both of these projects are critical to facilitating growth in the Greater Dublin Area and to helping us achieve the aims of our new housing action plan.

Transport Infrastructure

As we look to grow our capital, we cannot ignore the oftentimes long, exhausting commutes that many workers face.

The Government is committed to tackling this with substantial investment in our public transport infrastructure and services.

Dublin is undergoing the most significant public transport transformation in decades, driven by BusConnects, DART plus expansion, fleet electrification, Luas and active travel integration.

And with Metrolink, we will deliver the biggest infrastructure development of any kind in the country’s history.

We want to ensure Dublin continues to be a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.

Delivery of these transport projects will be central to this ambition.

It will help reduce congestion, provide better access to jobs and amenities across the county, and will support workforce mobility, especially in nighttime economy sectors.

Dublin City Taskforce

The Government is committed to making Dublin City Centre a more thriving, more attractive, and safer cityscape; and a desirable location to live, work, do business and visit.

Dublin City Taskforce recommended a series of measures to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre.

Indeed, Mary Rose Burke was a member of the Taskforce and brought her insights into how we could make our capital city a place of which we feel intensely proud.

The Government published a comprehensive Roadmap for Delivery which sets a clear implementation plan to achieve the Taskforce’s vision which spans a 10-year period.

Actions include the development of a 10-Year Integrated Area Strategy for Dublin City Centre to optimise funding and investment.

The Roadmap also encompasses the redevelopment of the GPO Complex into a multi-use complex which will also honour the building’s historic importance to the city.

Delivery of the Roadmap will involve significant public funding supported by private sector investment. The Roadmap creates an enabling environment designed to build confidence with business, landholders and investors to get involved in achieving a new vision for Dublin City Centre.

I know that Dublin Chamber will continue to support the Taskforce’s vision through its contribution to Dublin City Council’s Rejuvenation Action Group.

Conclusion

Ireland’s economic success has always been built on partnership – between Government and enterprise, between local and global, between ambition and responsibility.

Dublin Chamber exemplifies that partnership.

As we navigate uncertainty and opportunity, Government will continue to work with you to strengthen competitiveness, deliver infrastructure, expand housing supply, and ensure Ireland remains one of the best places in the world to live, work and do business.

I wish David Kelly every success as President, and I thank all of you for your leadership, your engagement, and your commitment to Ireland’s future.

Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh go léir taitneamh as ceiliúradh na hoíche anocht, agus guím gach rath oraibh go léir don todhchaí.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

ENDS