Ireland is ready to navigate the next era of US FDI
Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, founder and CEO of AM O’Sullivan PR.
In my almost forty years of advising the leaders of US multinationals, the "Irish Proposition" has undergone a fundamental shift from a transactional relationship to one of mutual dependency.
As we move through 2026, the global business climate is incredibly unsettled. Yet, for the nearly 1,000 US firms located here, supporting over 245,000 direct jobs and nearly as many again indirectly, the Irish proposition has never been more vital.
It isn’t just about our geographical location; it’s our common-law legal system, a world-class talent pool, and a pro-business consensus that remains unshaken by the political quakes happening around us.
However, while we navigate those factors that we cannot control, such as global geopolitics or the speed of AI, we must meet our own domestic responsibilities.
The uncomfortable reality is that our physical infrastructure has not kept pace with our economic ambition. For successive governments, the investment in our roads, rail, water and, perhaps most critically, our power grid has lagged behind the needs of a modern economy. We are currently relying on a 20th-century utility framework to support a 21st-century AI and data-driven superstructure.
In an increasingly volatile world, US multinationals look to Ireland for capacity. In Cork, the completion of the M28 motorway is a strategic necessity for the global pharmaceutical cluster in Ringaskiddy. Similarly, the redevelopment of the Cork Docklands, which represents the most significant urban regeneration project in the State, is essential for providing the housing and urban infrastructure required to attract the next generation of talent.
Our ability to remain economically successful depends on how we manage the factors within our own control. We have the capital; what we now need is the institutional urgency to use that capital to fund the critical infrastructure that will sustain our growth.
The Government published its Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan in December 2025. This is a critically important timebound roadmap designed to tackle the delays and bottlenecks that have plagued critical infrastructure projects for years. The Action Plan must be implemented.
With the global 15% minimum tax rate now the status quo, the conversation regarding Ireland has matured. We have traded our "low-cost" status for predictability, which is far more valuable. In a world where fiscal rules can change with an election cycle, Ireland’s position as the only English-speaking, common-law gateway to the European Single Market, is a significant geopolitical asset.
As firms navigate the EU’s sustainability reporting or the newly implemented EU AI Act, Ireland is a jurisdiction that provides a clear, reliable path to compliance. The Irish workforce possesses the unique ability to bridge the gap between American technical ambition and European ethical standards. Our focus must remain on the skills of tomorrow by ensuring that the next generation of Irish graduates is as fluent in AI governance as in software engineering.
The relationship between US multinationals and Ireland has evolved from a transactional one into a mutual dependency. The 245,000 people directly employed by these firms are a testament to a partnership that has transformed Irish society.
The IDA is fêted around the world as countries endeavour to imitate its approach and its success. It is important to remember that our success was never accidental. It was built by design, maintained through dialogue, and protected by a shared vision. The forecast for 2026 and beyond remains bright, but it demands active stewardship.
- Ann-Marie O’Sullivan is the founder and CEO of AM O’Sullivan PR.
