“Irish hands and Irish hearts helped shape the American story from the very beginning,” said An Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris, who was guest of honour at the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland’s (AmCham) 2026 Annual Dinner.Speaking at the event, which also featured the presentation of AmCham’s 2026 US-Ireland Business Awards, the Minister spoke about the “enduring”, “foundational” and “unique” relationship between Ireland and the US. Marking the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, he reflected on the deep historical ties between the two countries, noting that “three of the 56 signatories of the Declaration of Independence were born on the island of Ireland”.Those historic ties continue to underpin one of the world’s most important economic partnerships. Harris pointed to America’s “unrivalled capacity to turn ideas into industries”, arguing that Europe must strengthen its own competitiveness and innovation. Speaking on Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU, he emphasised that Ireland intends to play a leading role in advancing that ambition.An Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris He noted that Ireland’s presidency will have “growth and competitiveness at the core”, pointing to the fact that the “EU-US trading relationship is the most valuable in the world, with €4.6 billion in goods and services traded across the Atlantic each day.” He added that it is a partnership Ireland aims to “protect and enhance” throughout its presidency.At home, the Minister spoke of the need for Government to “remain focused not simply on attracting investment – but on helping existing investors grow and evolve here”.To this end he said Ireland’s research and development (R&D) tax credit remains “one of the most significant supports in our corporation tax system”. He acknowledged that while Ireland’s R&D tax credit has been increased to 35 per cent, work continues in Government to further enhance its scope. This will include, in particular, the examination of its subcontracting provisions during the term of this Government.That focus on strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness through innovation and investment was echoed by AmCham’s 2026 president, Mark Cockerill, who noted the need for “greater flexibility around related party subcontracted R&D activity and stronger recognition of the highly skilled Stem professionals driving innovation across the economy”.He added that Ireland must continue to invest in research excellence as well as its infrastructure, energy capacity and digital capability in order to “support the next generation of growth”.Cockerill also spoke about the “extraordinary people and organisations who continue to strengthen the transatlantic relationship every single day”. He said many of the organisations recognised through AmCham’s 2026 US-Ireland Business Awards “continue to demonstrate the tenacity required not only to grow businesses, but to create opportunities for others and deliver meaningful impact across society”. This is something that has been “at the heart of much of the direct investment we have seen here over many decades”.Cockerill said that those qualities of innovation, competitiveness and collaboration were reflected in the organisations and individuals recognised through AmCham’s 2026 US-Ireland Business Awards. Sponsored by EY and IDA Ireland, with The Irish Times as media partner, the awards celebrated organisations and individuals whose achievements continue to strengthen the US-Ireland relationship.Paul Sweetman, chief executive, AmCham; Feargal de Freine, assurance partner and head of FDI at EY Ireland; Aileen Daly, tax partner at EY Ireland; Minister for Finance Simon Harris; Graham Abell, vice president of software engineering and Ireland site lead at Workday (receiving AmCham's 2026 global leadership award); Catherine Keogh, chief corporate affairs officer, Kerry Group; Mark Cockerill, AmCham President; and Michael Lohan, chief executive, IDA Ireland Among them was this year’s global leadership award recipient, Graham Abell, vice president of software engineering and Ireland site lead at Workday. Abell was awarded for his leadership in driving the growth and success of the more than 2,200-person workforce at Workday’s European headquarters in Dublin.Accepting the award, Abell highlighted the calibre of the talent and organisations represented at AmCham’s US-Ireland Business Awards. “I’m really proud of everything we’ve done in Dublin city centre,” he said, “and our relationships with all the organisations we’ve worked with.”He said that events such as AmCham’s US-Ireland Business Awards “bring together diverse leaders, innovators and visionaries bridging our transatlantic economies and fostering an exceptionally vibrant collaborative community”.That international impact was a theme echoed by Michael Lohan, chief executive of IDA Ireland, as he presented AmCham’s 2026 global impact award. He said the multinational teams based in Ireland are “not simply supporting global operations – they are helping to shape them”, something he described as “hugely important”. He said: “Through activities such as advanced research, product development, digital transformation and strategic leadership, teams in Ireland are making a real contribution at an international level, and that is a strong reflection of the depth of talent, capability and expertise we have built here.”Michael Lohan, chief executive, IDA Ireland; Ciara Power, director of global corporate communications, Aerogen; Aileen Daly, tax partner at EY Ireland and the team from Aerogen at the presentation of AmCham’s 2026 global impact award Ireland’s innovation capability was exemplified by Aerogen, winner of AmCham’s 2026 global impact award. Aerogen was awarded for its innovative inhaled medicine delivery system, providing efficient care for those with respiratory diseases. Developed and manufactured in Ireland, Project Aerogen Solo’s versatility has driven widespread adoption across US hospitals, including intensive care units, emergency departments, neonatal care and transport settings.Upon receipt of the award, Ciara Power, director, global corporate communications said: “What started as a two-person operation above a butcher shop in a village in the west of Ireland, is now the world leader in acute care aerosol drug delivery technology”. Beyond recognising innovation and international impact, the evening also celebrated organisations making a lasting contribution to society through AmCham’s global community award.Presenting AmCham’s global community award, Aileen Daly, tax partner at EY Ireland, reflected on how great business leadership is defined by the positive impact of organisations. “Great business leadership today is defined by much more than just the top line or the bottom line,” she said. “Increasingly, what matters is how businesses show up in the world: the jobs they create, the economic value they bring and the positive impact they have on the environment, education and society of their local communities.” AmCham’s 2026 global community award was presented to the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland (ISAI) and was accepted by John O’Connell, director, ISAI and Niamh Hamill, founder and academic director, ISAI. ISAI was recognised for strengthening educational and cultural links between Ireland and the United States through international academic partnerships, while promoting Ireland as a destination for learning and professional opportunity.Mark Cockerill, AmCham president; Aileen Daly, tax partner at EY Ireland; John O'Connell, director of the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland; Niamh Hamill, founder and academic director of the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland; and Michael Lohan, chief executive, IDA Ireland at presentation of AmCham’s 2026 global community award Speaking on receipt of the award, O’Connell said: “Global community impact is what we do on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. We engage through education and culture with many many diverse institutions, students and faculty”. Together, the evening’s discussions and award recipients reflected a partnership rooted in shared history and firmly focused on the future.AmCham’s 2027 Annual Dinner featuring its 2027 US-Ireland Business Awards will take place on Thursday, 27th of May, 2027