Limerick Chamber puts the focus on regional investment ahead of Budget 2026

Limerick Chamber puts the focus on regional investment ahead of Budget 2026. Pictured are Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue, Mairead Connolly, President of Limerick Chamber, and Seán Golden, Chief Economist of Limerick Chamber. Pic. Brian Arthur

Limerick Chamber outlines the need for regional investment in Limerick and the MidWest by meeting two Government ministers ahead of Budget 2026, focusing on the need for indigenous business support and the expansion of infrastructure

Limerick Chamber highlighted that “Infrastructure is the foundation of growth” for Limerick and the MidWest Region, as the group hosted two senior Government cabinet members, calling for the urgent need for investment ahead of Budget 2026.

The Chamber held high-level meetings this week as they intensified engagement with Government, holding high-level meetings with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. Limerick Chamber took the opportunity to outline the need for targeted investment in regional infrastructure under the National Development Plan and Budget 2026 to secure long-term, sustainable growth for the Midwest.

Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber, is calling on investment from the Government to allow Limerick and the wider region to “compete” more nationally and to create a “level playing field” in the country’s business landscape.

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The Limerick Chamber CEO said, “Infrastructure is the foundation of growth. Without modern transport links, secure energy and adequate housing our region risks falling behind. What we’re asking Government for is not just investment – it’s the enabling conditions for the Midwest to compete on a level playing field nationally.”

Mairead Connolly, President of Limerick Chamber, added, “From offshore wind to metropolitan rail, these aren’t vanity projects – they are the building blocks of a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable economy. Budget 2026 and the National Development Plan give Government a golden opportunity to close the regional gap and unlock the Mid-West’s full potential.”

As part of the meetings, Limerick Chamber presented a case for the need to address regional infrastructure deficits, which they say will constrain competitiveness, inward investment, and quality of life if left unaddressed.

The meetings allowed the chamber to highlight the points raised in the Limerick Chamber pre-budget submission 2026, which focused on talent retention, innovation, and sustainability efforts in what they describe as “a turbulent global environment”.

The meetings also gave the opportunity to call for greater investment in aviation capital investment for regional airports such as Shannon Airport, as well as the opportunity to advance in the design and construction of a Limerick metropolitan rail system, to address traffic issues in the city.

Limerick Chamber has also asked the Government to consider ensuring a reliable and secure energy supply to power businesses, putting an emphasis on the opportunity for potential offshore wind energy production, which they believe can be a transformative opportunity and source of regional competitiveness.

As the country faces increasing pressures for housing, the chamber has called on the Government to address supply challenges to attract and retain talent across the Midwest region. They have also highlighted the need to remove blockers to infrastructure provision, ensuring a seamless process for providers to bring forward much-needed capital investment.

Michelle Gallagher, CEO of Limerick Chamber, said, “The Midwest has the potential to be a powerhouse of sustainable growth, but that potential can only be realised if we address the structural gaps in transport, energy, housing, and skills infrastructure. These are not optional extras – they are prerequisites for competitiveness. Our message to Government is clear: invest now to future-proof the region.”

Mairead Connolly, President of Limerick Chamber, said, “From aviation links to offshore wind, and from rail connectivity to university capacity, these priorities are about more than projects. They are about building the enabling environment where business can thrive, investment can flow, and communities can grow stronger. The Midwest cannot afford to wait another decade for these commitments – Budget 2026 must be the moment we seize the opportunity.”

The Chamber stressed that bridging these infrastructure gaps is not simply about delivering projects, but about creating the conditions for sustainable business growth, stronger communities, and a region that thrives into the next generation.