The Fitzpatrick report presented to the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, is a welcome addition to the number of plans the Minister must consider in formulating the National Development Plan for the next six years.
As a plan it joins others, such as reports by the ERSI, IBEC, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the eight regional authorities. It differs from the recent Western Development Commission report in that it proposes the development of cities and smaller centres.
But the Fitzpatrick plan, prepared by Fitzpatrick Associates in association with Jonathan Blackwell & Associates, Colin Buchanan and Partners, Brendan Kearney and Associates and KPMG Management Consultants, carries the weight of the eight regional authorities which commissioned it under the aegis of the Irish Assembly of Regional Authorities.
It must therefore be seen as the preferred plan of what will become the new super-regions, legislation for which is expected this year.
The plan is impressive in the breadth of its research, in its analysis of infra-structural, industrial and social needs of the regions. It makes strong, sensible recommendations on education and training as well as the development of rail and roads.
But it must be remembered the experience of the State in planning new towns or significant expansion of existing cities is not great.
If we are to learn from the Tallaght example, developer-led housing and industrial parks are not sustainable unless they come with the social supports such as schools, housing, clearly designated shopping centres, the hospitals, churches and services such as public transport.
At yesterday's launch there was little talk of such things, but much talk of money.
The principle of developing self-sufficient centres in the regions is sound and especially welcome in the light of the near-strangulation of Dublin.
Ireland has seen a "brain-drain" towards the south-east coast. The development of centres at Athlone, Waterford and Dundalk would do much to counterbalance that.
The danger again is that they might not just counterbalance Dublin, but mirror it. The N3 at Clonee, Co. Meath, is virtually shut down twice a day due to traffic, with massive costs to industry. A similar situation exists in Dublin's other neighbouring counties of Kildare and Wicklow.
If there is to be growth in Athlone then it must be planned growth. A rezoning charter which extends the housing network several miles out the main access route will simply create another "Clonee".
There must be a move away from the idea that because land is serviced by a road that it is "sustainable" to zone all around it for housing, enriching the land-owners but doing little for the creation of a living environment.
Yesterday, privately at least, some of the members of the regional authorities were admitting there must be some control of the county development plans to ensure a co-ordinated region-wide approach to development.
An integrated approach with all the partners is required. Timing and planning are essential, with commitments from state bodies such as the Departments of Education, Environment, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Public Enterprise.
All too often we discover after local authorities have zoned land for housing or industry, they don't build schools, hospitals or run bus companies.