Minister Burke Highlights Government Plans to Enhance Ireland’s Competitiveness at AmCham Independence Day Lunch

AmCham was delighted to have Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, join us as Guest of Honour at AmCham’s 2025 Independence Day Lunch, which was sponsored by PwC.

Speaking to AmCham members, he said: “We are in a very strong position as an Irish economy. We have at this point in time, the first time in our country's history, went over the €100bn envelope for our budget at €105bn. That is very significant, particularly in the context of capital expenditure where this year we're on course to spend about €14.8bn in our economy. And when you look at our trajectory, that's up about 107 percent since 2019 alone."

“And that really has the capacity to transform our communities, really make us a more efficient economy and invest in so many key pieces of infrastructure that are badly needed for business to grow and provide the opportunity to innovate as well, which is so, so important, he said."

Minister Burke said that when we consider Ireland’s competitiveness for business “we are the most competitive economy in the Eurozone,” but noted that “we know we need to do more.”

He said: “And that's why in the month of July, we'll be coming forward with a very comprehensive competitive action plan as well as our national development plan review, which will bring more money into €165bn we have for the next decade.”

"Again, looking at the key infrastructural deficits in our water, wastewater, energy capacity, ensuring that we have high quality affordable housing coming into the economy, and also focusing laser like on our competitiveness as an economy as we really shift the dial and ensure that we remain as the most competitive economy in Europe,” Minister Burke said.

Attendees also heard from AmCham 2025 President, Liz Cunningham at the lunch. Liz noted that while “Ireland is ranked as the most educated country in the world, with 52 percent of the population between the ages of 25 and 64 having a bachelor’s degree or higher,” in the age of digital, machine learning and A.I., it is “crucial that our talent offering keeps pace” with evolving business needs.

She said:  “64 percent of members said they are currently experiencing a skills gap in Ireland,” with the greatest skills gaps being in the areas of digital and data, engineering and machine learning and A.I.

Key to addressing this will be “the expansion of the range of apprenticeships available, with a particular focus digital and A.I., engineering, advanced manufacturing, supply chain management, and other areas where the greatest skills gaps currently exist,” Liz said.

You can view all of the remarks from AmCham’s 2025 Independence Day Lunch here.