EU leaders summit reinforces case for savings and investments reform in Ireland

At the informal EU summit in Limburg yesterday, the proposed EU Savings and Investments Union (SIU) moved firmly to the centre of the competitiveness debate. Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed that Ireland is “ready to progress” the initiative, describing the Government’s position as “more positive now”, while recognising sensitivities around supervisory integration and Ireland’s financial services sector. 

A reported €11 trillion EU household savings remain on deposit rather than invested in productive enterprise. In Ireland, an estimated €170 billion sits in domestic deposits rather than invested in business to support innovation, SMEs and long-term growth. 

We have written to the Minister for Finance to discuss the considerable opportunities that the activation of these household deposits represents for the Irish economy. 

Chartered Accountants Ireland has consistently engaged in this space on members’ behalf:

In our response to the Ireland for Finance 2026–2030 strategy consultation, we called for full implementation of the Funds Sector 2030 Review recommendations to strengthen Ireland’s investment ecosystem and enhance retail participation in capital markets. We emphasised the need for a competitive, modernised tax framework that supports long‑term saving and investment.

Specifically, we advocated for the introduction of a personal investment savings scheme for Ireland. Such a scheme would deepen domestic capital markets, encourage greater retail participation, and create a more sustainable investor base for Irish SMEs and listed companies.

On Budget Day, we were disappointed at the absence of progress on ETF deemed disposal reform, noting that meaningful capital‑market development requires coherent and aligned tax policy.

In our recent submission on Ireland’s priorities for its upcoming EU Presidency, we further emphasised the importance of progressing the EU Savings and Investments Union agenda – positioning Ireland to lead constructively on capital markets reform while ensuring domestic measures support that ambition.

Last week we launched our 2026 Investment Tax Guide in partnership with Goodbody. At the webinar launch the panel discussed the landscape of investment taxation in Ireland including the Government’s renewed focus on encouraging retail investment – the commitments arising from the Funds Sector Review and the anticipated roadmap for simplifying Ireland’s complex retail investment tax framework. The panel also outlined how proposals such as removing the 8‑year deemed disposal rule on funds could support long‑term savers. For any members who missed the webinar, you can watch it back here.  

Savings and investments reform will form a core pillar of our pre‑Budget 2027 campaign and we look forward to updating members on this in the coming weeks and months.