Chambers Ireland welcomes announcement of General Election date.

Dublin, Ireland – 8 November 2024 – Chambers Ireland welcomes the announcement that the next Irish General Election will be held on 29 November. With the date now determined, Chambers Ireland is eager to engage with all political parties and candidates on the issues that matter most to businesses and the future of Ireland’s economy.  This includes investing in and delivering key infrastructure, reducing the regulatory and financial burden facing businesses, fostering thriving towns and cities, prioritising sustainable development and building strong international connections.

Speaking after Taoiseach Simon Harris’s announcement, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, Ian Talbot, outlined what the election will mean for the business community:

“Over the next few weeks of campaigning, we are going to see each political party and independent candidates making their commitments to the public for election. Ireland’s business community is at the heart of innovation, job creation and economic growth. It is therefore critical that we can have constructive dialogue with all parties and with the new incoming Government to ensure that the needs of Irish businesses are heard and reflected in the resulting Programme for Government.”

“In our General Election Manifesto, we defined our high-level priorities and actions that the next Government will need to focus on if businesses in Ireland are to thrive and prosper in an increasingly competitive global landscape. Global trends in corporate taxation now mean that we must look to diversify our international offering and seek to lead in other areas to ensure our continued success on the international stage and to improve the conditions that enable growth of indigenous businesses.”

Mr. Talbot continued by emphasising the strength of Irish businesses and asserting the need for voters to make sure their voice is heard and counted on polling day:

“This is why we need proactive elected representatives that understand the challenges facing Ireland and have the ambition to catalyse radical social, economic and environmental change for our future prosperity.”

“Businesses of all sizes, from multinationals to SMEs and large corporations to small family-run enterprises, are the backbone of towns and cities across the country and contribute economically and socially to the local communities they serve and operate in. As we approach the election, we urge all parties and candidates to engage with business leaders and reflect their voices in policy proposals.”

“Above all, we encourage everyone that is eligible to vote to ensure they are registered and use their voice on polling day. We would also call on businesses to support employees by making time available to them to vote.”

Chambers Ireland’s General Election Manifesto is built on two key pillars. The first pillar recognises that Ireland has a number of strategic strengths and competitive advantages which, if not protected and promoted, will have damaging consequences for our future prosperity and economic development. The second pillar focuses on the areas that will need significant attention if we are to spark growth and propel Ireland’s economic prospects, securing our place as a leader in global innovation.

I. Protecting Ireland’s Competitive Advantages

    Key priorities include:

    • Ensuring Ireland remains a top destination for FDI, while creating opportunities for homegrown businesses to thrive.
    • Promoting Ireland’s key strengths to international audiences, reinforcing our position as a world-class hub for innovation, tourism and talent.
    • Investing in our higher education system to ensure Ireland continues to offer a highly educated, skilled and adaptable workforce to meet the needs of modern industries.
    • Investing in renewable energy to not only meet climate goals but to become a leader in this sector and realise the potential economic opportunities.

    II. Securing Ireland’s Future Success

      Key priorities include:

      • Developing and, crucially, delivering key national infrastructure including housing, grid, water, transport, ports and aviation infrastructure.
      • Reducing the operational costs for businesses through taxation and regulatory reform.
      • Ensuring a sustainable and resilient future by taking climate action, investing in skills development, defending our critical national infrastructure and promoting business innovation.
      • Focusing on balanced regional development to create thriving local economies.
      • Enhancing trade links and global market access through greater collaboration with strategic international partners.

      ENDS

      Notes for the Editor:

      Chambers Ireland’s General Election Manifesto is available to download here.

      Back to Top