IEA Submission: Budget 2026 Recommendations

Executive Summary

The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) presents its recommendations for Budget 2026 at a critical time for Ireland’s export sector. Representing a broad spectrum of exporters, from SMEs to multinational corporations and key service providers, the IEA underscores the pivotal role exporters play in national employment, regional investment, and fiscal health.

This submission identifies pressing challenges for Irish exporters, including increased geopolitical risk, disruption in global supply chains, ongoing international tax reforms, and heightened global competition. Notably, new trade tensions between the US and EU have culminated in a recently outlined Trade Deal that introduces a 15% global tariff on EU and thus Irish exports to the United States. This development is expected to place considerable financial strain on Irish exporters.

In response, the IEA calls for the creation of a dedicated “US Tariff Adjustment Fund,” inspired by the EU’s €5.34 billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve, which previously allocated €802 million to Ireland. This fund would provide targeted support to help exporters manage the transition, including adapting business models, passing on costs to US customers, investing in innovation and market diversification, and sustaining employment throughout the adjustment period.

The IEA further highlights that the economic impact is not limited to goods exporters but extends to service providers within logistics, transport, and supply chain sectors. These interconnected industries are also at risk from a potential downturn in export volumes.

Overall, the IEA urges the government to take decisive action in Budget 2026 to safeguard the competitiveness, resilience, and continued growth of Ireland’s export sector in the face of rapidly evolving international challenges.