As the Deputy is aware, as well as reducing the rate of taxation that applies to Irish and equivalent offshore funds and Irish and certain foreign life assurance products, Budget 2026 included a commitment to publish a roadmap on the taxation of retail investment.
The roadmap will set out an approach to simplify and adapt the tax framework to further support retail investment while retaining necessary and important anti-avoidance protections in a proportionate manner.? Work is underway to prepare the roadmap, including consideration of the Funds Sector 2030 Report ?the European Commission’s recommendation on savings and investment?accounts. I look forward to receiving proposals shortly and I expect the roadmap to be published in the coming months.
I would note that detailed consideration is necessary to ensure that any changes in this area achieve an appropriate balance between supporting retail investment and maintaining appropriate anti-avoidance protections. However, the Government is very clear that retail investment needs to be encouraged, as set out in the Programme for Government, and in line with the work underway on Savings and Investment Union at the EU level.
In terms of engagement on the issue of the European Commission recommendation, the issue of savings and investment accounts has been raised with my Department by a range of stakeholders as part of the usual ongoing communication and engagement. My Department is also engaging directly with the Commission on this important aspect of Savings and Investment Union.
