Chambers Ireland urges EU and Government action as survey shows businesses ‘treading water’
Chambers Ireland have today (11 November 2025) released the Irish results of Europe’s largest business sentiment survey. The 2026 Eurochambres Economic Survey (EES2026), based on responses from over 41,000 businesses across Europe, reveals that businesses are striving to get back on a growth trajectory after several challenging years.
While the Irish results indicate a degree of optimism, the top three challenges they identified looking ahead to 2026 are: labour costs (63%), a lack of skilled workers (48%) and regulatory burdens (43%).
Speaking at the launch of the Irish results, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, Ian Talbot said:
“Addressing the challenges businesses are experiencing depends on the commitment of both the EU and national governments to address regulatory burdens, workforce-related challenges and barriers to the Single Market.”
He was frank in his assessment: “Businesses have been treading water for several years. Since the publication of the Draghi and Letta Reports progress on implementing recommendations to improve competitiveness and productivity has been slow. We now need to see the EU and Governments deliver a framework for growth, with decisive actions that make a tangible difference for businesses on the ground.
This means delivering simpler regulations and avoiding gold-plating, lower labour and energy costs, and completing the Single Market to unlock its potential. It also means delivering the Capital Markets Union, the Savings and Investments Union and the Banking Union.”
Talbot’s words are backed by the overall results of the survey which indicate a modest improvement across key economic indicators. Business confidence and national sales among Irish businesses are set to rise slightly, while export expectations for 2026 are low.
The pan-European results reflect easing inflation, lower consumer prices, and relatively stronger domestic demand compared to last year. However, ongoing challenges such as high labour costs, complex and burdensome EU regulations, and geopolitical uncertainty are expected to continue impacting, especially on employment and investment.
Key EES2026 policy messages:
• Ensure predictability and financial support to manage excessive production costs. Lower social security contributions and energy costs. Tailor the next Multiannual Financial Framework to SME needs with simpler access to funding opportunities.
• Promote digital and smarter simplification: Minimise rules for SMEs with the support of digital infrastructures to free up investment capacity, time and resources.
• Reduce Single Market fragmentation and address the “terrible ten” barriers as acknowledged by the European Commission: Allow companies to innovate and operate seamlessly across the Single Market.
• Skills as a competitive advantage: Scale up investment in up- and reskilling, promote adult learning and VET, and the business transfer frameworks.
• Power the green transition through affordable energy: Accelerate clean energy deployment, expand and modernise electricity systems, and speed up permitting.
• Enhance Europe’s opportunities to trade globally: Facilitate European SMEs’ internationalisation into the Single Market and other markets, and conclude trade agreements with other global partners
-ENDS-
For more information contact Shane Hughes at shane.hughes@chambers.ie
Additional Information: EES2026 Report and EES2026 Infographic
