The Dublin Chamber of Commerce has warned the Government not to ignore the capital in setting priorities for the National Development Plan.

"While the debate has been focusing on which counties are supposedly poorer than others, there is a danger that national priorities will be ignored," chamber president Mr Jim Ruane said. "Dublin has been, and can continue to be, the engine for national economic growth."

However, he said the city's infrastructural development had failed to keep pace with economic development while Dublin also had a severe unemployment problem.

A major investment programme, to include transport, telecommunications and environment and social infrastructure was needed for the city, the chamber said.