Against the backdrop of global political uncertainty, the half-year results from IDA Ireland provide some encouragement. Investment trends remain strong, despite the drive by US president Donald Trump to encourage US companies to establish new plants at home. Together with other recent economic figures, this suggests that the Irish economy continues to display the resilience which has characterised the years since 2000. During this time, growth has continued despite the Covid pandemic, the inflationary spiral following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the uncertainties of the Trump presidency and war in the Middle East. The IDA’s half-year results showed that it had agreed to support 190 projects in the first six months of 2026, up from 179 in the same period last year. At a time of political uncertainty and increased international competition for mobile investment, this is a strong result, with the project promoters promising to create 10,400 additional jobs as a result.Ireland is, it appears, benefiting from having an already significant base of international companies, some of which are deepening their investments here. On the other side of the equation there has also been a string of recent cutbacks in the tech sector, with reports that TikTok is planning 300 redundancies in its Irish operation a continuation of the trend. While inward investment remains strong, this suggests that the overall employment picture is now more mixed. The period of extraordinary growth in Irish employment may be drawing to a close. The Government has work to do to support employment in the years ahead. The IDA acknowledges concerns about housing and infrastructure in its client base. Promises to accelerate the provision of homes, energy, water and key social infrastructure must be delivered. This can underpin foreign and domestic investment as well as improving the lives of citizens. It is also a necessary part of addressing the climate change agenda, where faster progress is vital to guard against some of the major costs which the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council warns may otherwise be imposed on the State. Investment also goes beyond physical assets. Ireland needs additional investment and strategic direction in education and lifelong training, particularly given the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). Sitting back and thinking all is well on the basis of the latest IDA Ireland results would be a serious mistake. Rather, the surprise is that the figures are so strong, despite the increased international competition for investment and obvious infrastructural shortcomings. What Ireland needs to do to address this is not complicated, but that does not mean that it is easily achieved.