Chartered Accountants Ireland has reacted to today’s publication of the Critical Infrastructure Bill which aims to fast-track the approval processes for critical infrastructure projects in Ireland. Commenting on the Bill, Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland said “As a professional body representing 40,000 businesspeople across the economy, we see this Bill as a significant step in the Government’s approach to addressing Ireland’s infrastructure challenges. “Engagement with our members has demonstrated that infrastructure deficits need to be addressed as a matter of urgency if Ireland is to achieve its growth ambitions, meet its energy, transport and water requirements, and its sustainability goals. It is encouraging, therefore, to see the Bill’s focus on coordination and collaboration between public bodies to facilitate the rapid approval of projects and programmes.” Grant Sweetnam, Head of Public Policy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “For a small, open economy like Ireland, infrastructure is key to competitiveness. It is vital for maintaining the standard of living for our citizens, for attracting foreign direct investment, for supporting our SMEs and for ensuring Ireland remains one of the best locations to do business.” “Our infrastructure continues to be one of our most critical competitiveness deficits. It is essential that barriers are removed to facilitate investment in our infrastructure to safeguard Ireland’s social and economic interests.  We look forward to engaging constructively with Government and stakeholders on this issue.”

The Climate Change Advisory Council’s latest report: Annual Review 2026 - Our Changing Climate in 2025, finds that climate change is having measurable impacts in Ireland, with growing risks for communities, infrastructure, essential services and the economy. The economic damage from the five named storms that affected Ireland in 2025 amounted to almost €360 million, following estimated losses of €4.1 billion from flood and windstorm events in Ireland in 2024. The storm also exposed vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and essential services, including energy, water and telecommunications. The Council identifies gaps in how the economic, social and environmental consequences of extreme weather events are monitored and notes that robust data and evidence are essential to inform effective policy, planning and investment; it also calls for coordinated Government action, including investment in climate monitoring and infrastructure systems, strengthened policy and legislative frameworks, and a systemic approach to improving national resilience.

Moving away from fossil fuels is key to reducing the impact of the current crisis and future crises, according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD. The Taoiseach was commenting in a  recent Government announcement of temporary and targeted measures to reduce fuel prices for households and businesses in order to shield them from the recent hikes in fuel prices. The measures provide for temporary reductions in the rates of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) applying to petrol, auto diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO), and are in effect from 25 March to 31 May 2026. Separately, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, warned that Ireland and the European Union remain exposed to fossil fuel price shocks: “As long as we rely on imported fossil fuels, events far beyond our shores will continue to impact in a real way on households and businesses. That is not a sustainable position. And it is not a secure one.” The Tánaiste further commented that reducing that dependence as “the only lasting answer”, by accelerating Ireland’s transition to renewable energy and improving efficiency, and building a system that is more resilient and more within our own control. Energy was also a core pillar of Ireland-UK Summit 2026 which took place in Cork in March. A key focus of the Summit was closer cooperation between both countries to deploy offshore wind at scale, as well as increased electricity interconnection and securing critical infrastructure in shared maritime space. An expanded Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Summit between the electricity transmission system operators of Ireland, Great Britain and Northern Ireland (EirGrid, NESO and SONI), to increase knowledge-sharing and cooperation. Commenting, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien TD said “This Summit has come as Ireland reaches 8GW of onshore renewable electricity generation, which is a significant milestone. We're building on this both in Ireland and with our near neighbours, creating opportunities for jobs, investments, and a more stable economy." Ireland has doubled wind energy capacity over the past decade, receiving more electricity from onshore wind farms than any other country in Europe. A new peak for wind energy was reportedly recorded in Ireland during February 2026, according to provisional data from EirGrid, with almost 50 percent of Ireland’s electricity came from renewable sources last month. 

The Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society has called for a reduction in Corporation Tax as part of a wider, credible industrial strategy to drive investment, job creation and long-term economic growth in Northern Ireland. Speaking at the Ulster Society’s Annual Dinner, attended by almost 500 business leaders, policymakers and professionals, Chairman Mark Lawther highlighted the findings of the Society’s latest member survey, which points to ongoing economic uncertainty and the need for decisive policy action. “The global outlook remains unpredictable, and that uncertainty is clearly reflected at a local level,” said Mark Lawther. “Confidence in Northern Ireland’s prospects has dipped slightly, with fewer than 6% of our members currently describing the outlook as ‘good’. That underlines the scale of the challenge—and the urgency of the response required.” Ulster’s Chartered Accountants also voice significant concern around public finances, with 94% of members citing public sector funding pressures as having a negative impact on the local economy. “Public sector reform is seen by our members as the single most important priority,” he said. “Alongside that, there is a clear message that we are not yet making the most of Northern Ireland’s unique post-EU trading position, despite the real potential that exists.” Mark Lawther emphasised that Northern Ireland has strong economic fundamentals, including dual market access to Great Britain and the EU, a competitive cost base, and growing political stability. “After a period when certainty felt like a rare commodity, it is encouraging that we can now talk about stability not as an aspiration, but as a foundation,” he said. “That gives us a real opportunity to build momentum and create an environment where Northern Ireland—and its people—can genuinely thrive.” However, he stressed that unlocking this potential will require bold and coordinated action. “A reduction in Corporation Tax, as part of the right policy mix, could be genuinely transformational,” he said. “It would allow us to leverage our unique market position, attract global investment, support local businesses, and create high-value jobs.” “In recent months, we have engaged with all five of Northern Ireland’s main political parties on this issue. As people who live and work here, and who care deeply about its future, we believe that a competitive Corporation Tax rate could be a game changer for our economy.” Reflecting on the role of the profession, Mark Lawther highlighted the contribution Chartered Accountants make across the economy. “Chartered Accountants are at the heart of business and public service, supporting organisations to adapt, grow and innovate,” he said. “We don’t just witness change—we help make it happen. Every day, our members are working alongside businesses that are evolving and expanding, helping to build a more competitive and resilient Northern Ireland.” He also welcomed the attendance of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, noting the importance of political leadership and engagement with the business community. “Business thrives best in an environment of certainty, collaboration and ambition,” he said. “We very much value the leadership shown in restoring stable government and in setting a constructive tone for the work of the Executive.” The Annual Dinner, sponsored by Danske Bank and MCS Group, celebrated the contribution of Chartered Accountants across Northern Ireland and brought together leaders from across industry, professional services and enterprise.  

This week the Institute met with Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, and officials as preparations continue to gather pace for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU (‘EU Presidency’), now just three months away.  The meeting provided an opportunity to talk through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s submission on the Presidency and to set out what we believe Ireland’s priorities should be over the six‑month term with a focus on competitiveness and simplification.  Against that backdrop, the discussion focused on the importance of progressing two key initiatives: EU Inc. and the Savings and Investment Union. We emphasised that securing meaningful progress on these proposals within the six‑month window would represent a highly successful Presidency and would be of significant strategic importance for Ireland and the wider EU economy.  Chartered Accountants Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with Government in the lead‑up to, and throughout, the Presidency. With a 40,000-strong membership across Ireland and internationally, the Institute is well placed to support engagement, understanding and debate on key Presidency priorities.  Looking ahead, members can expect a programme of activity by the Institute during the six‑month Presidency, including publications, briefings and events focused on competitiveness and simplification. These initiatives will be designed to keep members informed, to showcase professional insights and to contribute positively to Ireland’s Presidency objectives. Further details will be shared in the coming months, and members are encouraged to keep an eye on Chartered News and Institute channels for updates. 

Proposals for a common rulebook to simplify business administration across the Single Market and boost EU competitiveness were presented by European Commissioner Michael McGrath, to the European College of Commissioners today. Chartered Accountants Ireland, the largest professional body on the island of Ireland notes the significant opportunity the proposals represent for Irish businesses, by removing market fragmentation, allowing businesses to operate across the Single Market under one coherent – and more predictable- set of rules and facilitating much-needed investment in Irish businesses.  The EU Inc. proposal is a new EU-wide legal framework designed to make it easier to set up, scale up and invest across the Single Market. It will provide an alternative to the complex and differing regulations faced by businesses that want to expand across different Member States. Under EU Inc., each company will be automatically recognised in all Member States, a key step in removing internal barriers and maximising free movement within the EU.  Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “‘EU Inc.’ represents a significant opportunity for Irish businesses, vastly reducing the amount of EU-level compliance required. We therefore strongly support the once-only, digital-first approach in simplifying administration and cutting red tape, which will help reduce costs and ease the burden of regulatory compliance. With a market of 450 million people, the European Single Market is the world’s largest trading bloc and for Irish companies wishing to expand into other Member States, this regulation is an essential first step towards reducing burdensome administration costs and enabling easier access to the European market.    “We are pleased to see that our recommendation to remove tax and labour law from the proposal was taken on board as inclusion of them would have complicated and delayed this vital legislation. We will continue to raise issues to enhance competitiveness and reduce red tape, and, in that context, we have consistently called for the harmonisation of statutory audit requirements, as inconsistency across EU Member States in this respect would present a barrier to fulfilling the promise of the EU Inc proposal.   The Institute welcomed Commissioner McGrath’s intention to adopt these proposals as a regulation, which will ensure consistency across the EU and ensure the proposals work in harmony with Member States’ national company laws. Concluding Ms Clohisey said “The Commission has set an objective to finalise these proposals by the end of the year. We encourage the Government to be proactive during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council to advance EU Inc. and ensure that SMEs across Europe can realise their potential.” The Institute notes that there is no public consultation planned and the proposals will move directly to discussions by the European Parliament and the Council with the objective to reach agreement on adoption by the end of the year. It is expected that EU Inc. will be operational by 2027. ENDS    

EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath has confirmed that the long awaited 28th Regime or ‘EU Inc’ proposals will be published next week. EU Inc. will be a new EU-wide legal framework designed to make it easier to set up, scale up and invest across the Single Market. It will provide an alternative to the complex and differing regulations faced by businesses that want to expand across different Member States. The ambition is that a company can be established using a fully digital platform within 48 hours, and it will be recognised throughout the European Union. There will be a common rulebook that will simplify business operations across the EU Single Market and boost competitiveness. With 450 million people, the Single Market is the world’s largest trading bloc. For Irish companies wishing to expand into other Member States, this legislation will reduce the burdensome administration costs and enable easier access to the European Market. Commissioner McGrath has set four distinct objectives from these proposals: The ability to register and establish a company cheaper, faster and digitally that is recognised in each Member State; EU Inc will provide for adaptable, flexible and future-ready governance tools; Companies will find it easier to attract and retain talent; Access to investment will be boosted. In September last year, Chartered Accountants Ireland responded to a call for evidence from the Commission on the 28th Regime. There will be a further public consultation on these proposals once they are announced and Chartered Accountants Ireland will engage in that process to ensure the final proposals adopted by the EU will fulfil the ambitions and objectives set out previously. The proposals are set to be launched next week, and the Institute will keep you informed of developments.

  This week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin highlights Ireland’s gender pay and digital skills gaps and their impact on competitiveness, alongside new requirements for centralised pay gap reporting. Also included are updates on the Government’s actions on energy security, offshore wind, expanded zero‑emission HDV grants, and the introduction of the EU’s ESAP portal to support SME finance. The Green Economy reached €12.1bn output in 2023, with emissions intensity falling. Also covered are EU clean‑energy measures, greenwashing guidance, technical updates, key articles, and upcoming sustainability events. IRELAND SMEs and sustainable finance Tánaiste and Minister of Finance, Simon Harris, has signed into law the Statutory Instruments creating the Irish framework of the European Single Access Point (ESAP), an EU-wide data portal centralising free source of public information about EU companies and investment products. Read more. Gender pay gap consequences for Ireland’s competitiveness, innovation and resilience Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has urged employers to publish their gender pay gap reports, pointing to new research showing how a gender pay gap is evident in the early stages of young women’s careers. A gender skills gap has also been a priority area for certain sectors across Europe, with research published by the ESRI and European Parliament. Read more. Energy security and competitiveness developments The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) has convened a meeting of the Government's Energy Security Group to assess the current implications of the conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region; however, commentators argue that the crisis in the Middle East exposes over-reliance on fossil fuels, particularly LNG as a liability for Ireland, and call for investment in household energy security and clean energy alternatives. Read more. Government expands zero emission HDV grants for Irish logistics sector Irish businesses are set to benefit from expanded Government support to help cut costs and accelerate the move to zero-emission transport. Read more. Gross Output of Ireland’s ‘Green Economy’ €12.1 billion in 2023 The Gross Output of the Green Economy was €12.1 billion in 2023, up 10 percent on 2022, according to figures released by the CSO office. Meanwhile, a separate publication revealed that Ireland’s economy is becoming less emissions-intensive and is producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions per unit of economic activity. Read more. ISIF invests €140m in new climate action fund The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), part of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), has announced it will commit up to €140m as a cornerstone investor in a major new climate action fund. Read more. NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Urgent call for action as rising oil and gas costs hit households and businesses Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has written to the British Government warning that the rapid rise in global oil and natural gas prices is now placing significant pressure on households and businesses across the north. It comes as consumers using heating oil saw prices rise over 80 percent in less than a week. The Minister’s call for action builds on her engagement last week with her Irish and British Government counterparts, business, consumer, and industry stakeholders, on the stark price rises in petrol, diesel and heating oil. The call was made only five days after a report was published detailing the percentage  of electricity consumption in the region generated from renewable sources. The report found that the volume of renewable electricity generated in the year to December 2025 was equivalent to 47 percent of gross final electricity consumption compared to 44 percent in the previous period, of which the majority (72 percent) was from wind. EUROPE Commission presents measures to increase EU's energy independence and affordability The European Commission has presented a package of initiatives designed to boost investment in homegrown clean energy solutions, increase resilience and reduce energy prices. Delivering on the Affordable Energy Action Plan which was adopted in February 2025 to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, reduce energy dependencies and increase affordability for households, the package comprises: a Clean Energy Investment Strategy to help bridge the gap between the private capital currently available and the investments needed, de-risking projects and mobilising private finance for grids, innovative clean energy technologies and energy efficiency. a Citizens Energy Package to reduce energy bills, empower citizens to produce and share their own clean energy and fight against energy poverty a Strategy for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to reduce import dependencies and ensure strategic autonomy by enabling EU Member States pursuing this technology accelerate their development and deployment. The Commission will present further measures in due course. Accountancy Europe on the EU sustainable reporting ecosystem and greenwashing Accountancy Europe has called for stability in the EU sustainability reporting ecosystem, as the European Commission drafts and ultimately adopts the Delegated Act on Revised ESRS. Calling for the EC to “keep the standard-setting process technical and avoid subjecting it to political pressures” Accountancy Europe advises the Commission to refrain from further diluting the standards or reopening technical elements, which it warns would undermine the due process the Draft Revised ESRS went through at EFRAG level. Separately, Accountancy Europe’s new publication Trust and integrity: the role of corporate ecosystem actors in preventing greenwashing demonstrates that mitigating greenwashing risks requires a systemic approach. The publication examines how different actors in the corporate ecosystem (across the three lines of defence) can identify and mitigate greenwashing risks, clarifying how each contributes to safeguarding the integrity of sustainability disclosures. “Sustainability information is key to capital allocation and stakeholder decision-making and demand for it will persist. With lighter regulation due to the latest changes under the ‘simplification agenda’, ensuring good governance and clarifying the roles of corporate ecosystem actors is more important than ever.” RESOURCES Technical Roundup (from our colleagues in Professional Accounting)  The International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) has published:  a Jurisdictional Readiness Assessment Guide for the adoption or other use of ISSB Standards a podcast  on the latest developments around the ISSB.  EFRAG has called for a balanced and cost effective approach to the proposed changes to Scope 2 Guidance in its response to the public consultation of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, while also raising some strong concerns regarding the complexity of some of the proposals. EFRAG has  also released an updated version of the VSME digital template, which includes language support in Irish.  ARTICLES Sustainability isn’t dead. It’s a commercial risk (Business Post) "A Quiet Momentum" - Trends of Sustainability in Business for 2026 (IBEC) More than half a million car journeys avoided every day in Dublin by walking and cycling (The Journal) Why it makes sense for women to work for women (Financial Times) Women represent 40pc of board member positions in Irish companies (Irish Independent) Pension gender gap would see women working 10 extra years (Irish Examiner) “A real opportunity to level-set pay gaps”: Employers face new EU salary transparency rules (The Currency) After years of pay gap reporting, what do we know? (Financial Times) New law to fast-track infrastructure will ‘benefit businesses’ (Business Post) EVENTS Dublin Chamber, SustainableSolutions Match 2026 In conjunction with the Enterprise Europe Network, Dublin Chamber is running free online events to exchange ideas, discover innovations, and connect with partners who share the same ambition: building a more sustainable and circular European economy. Whether you’re a company searching for practical sustainability solutions or an innovator ready to showcase your ideas, this event is where collaboration turns into action. 🌍 Opening Session 16 March | 💡 Online Pitching Sessions 16-24 March | 🤝 Online B2B Meetings 16-27 March   Enterprise Ireland, Sustainability Kickstarter Workshops A half‑day workshop series designed to support business leaders in recognising the strategic importance of sustainability and decarbonisation. The sessions provide practical skills to integrate core sustainability principles, identify competitive opportunities, and build actionable plans to meet rising customer expectations for sustainable products and services. Workshops | Dates & Times • Friday, 20 March 2026 | Half‑day workshop • Friday, 17 April 2026 | Half‑day workshop • Friday, 8 May 2026 | Half‑day workshop   Goodbody Clearstream From Strategy to Supplier Performance: Making EcoVadis Work for Your Organisation  Join this webinar to explore how EcoVadis is being used by organisations to strengthen their sustainability performance and meet growing expectations. We’ll begin with a clear introduction to the EcoVadis Scorecard and IQ Plus tools and hear directly from businesses that are using EcoVadis today. Through their experiences, you’ll gain valuable perspective on implementation timelines, internal engagement, challenges faced, and the business benefits achieved. Whether you’re new to EcoVadis or looking to better understand its role in supply chain and sustainability management, this session will provide practical insight into how the platform supports continuous improvement and risk management. Virtual | Thursday, 26 March |12:30pm – 1:15pm   SEAI, SEAI Energy Show 2026 The SEAI Energy Show is a business-to-business event where you can learn about the latest developments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. In person, RDS, Main Arena, Merrion Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 AK83, 22nd - 23rd March 2026 Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.

  The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), part of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), has announced it will commit up to €140m as a cornerstone investor in a major new climate action fund. The fund has been set up by TirNua Capital Partners (TirNua), an independent, employee-managed private markets investment manager. ISIF has led the investment round in TirNua’s climate action infrastructure fund to accelerate its €2bn climate action investment programme and to continue to act as a catalyst for leveraging additional co-investment from other investors into Irish businesses and projects. Commenting David O’Brien, TirNua CEO described the fund as “a first-of-its-kind private markets platform focused on Ireland’s energy transition […] represent[ing] an exciting new way for investors to channel long-term capital into the projects that have the potential to positively shape Ireland’s future.” Back to the Sustainability/ESG Bulletin