James Lawless

To highlight the opportunity for Ireland as AI drives the growth of the semiconductor sector and to encourage the government to address competitive issues to continue to benefit from this opportunity

Contribute member perspectives at the Professional Services Roundtable, with a focus on solutions to close the skills gaps in the sector today, the key barriers to closing them, what the government should do differently or faster, and the role industry can play.

Ensure equal opportunities in entrepreneurship - Improve women-led entrepreneurship by expanding dedicated early-stage finance and creating a single, joined-up access point for enterprise supports.

Build skills and export capacity for long-term growth - Strengthen trade supports, apprenticeships, lifelong learning and regional skills systems to support resilience and expansion.

Simplify tax, regulation and labour market access by reducing administrative burdens, modernising outdated tax rules and removing barriers to hiring and workforce participation.

Strengthen enterprise competitiveness and investment. In particular, cut business cost pressures, improve access to finance and modernise supports so SMEs can scale and invest.

Accelerate the delivery of clean energy infrastructure - Speed up renewable generation, grid, ports, storage and enabling infrastructure delivery to strengthen energy security, reduce constraints and support Ireland’s clean energy targets.

Strengthen innovation and competitiveness by supporting SME digital adoption, strengthening R&D incentives and investing in future-focused strategic sectors.

To outline critical priorities for investment for Cork Chamber members as Budget 2027 approaches, including an ongoing focus on competitiveness, strengthening the enterprise economy, supporting SMEs and attracting talent and investment.

To outline critical priorities for Cork Chamber members as Budget 2027 approaches, including an ongoing focus on competitiveness, strengthening the enterprise economy, supporting SMEs and attracting talent and investment.

Share priorities from Ibec's pre budget submission and policies to be reflected in Budget 2027

To secure funding for Innovation Campus

Further investment in research and AI in further and higher education

To communicate industry perspectives about the SFA's new strategy for small businesses.

To ensure the attendance of and engagement of public policy stakeholders at the DigitalEurope National Trade Association Presidency Summit in Dublin in May 2026