Chambers Ireland has welcomed the publication of the National Development Plan today but warned lessons had to be learned from the last one.
Chambers Ireland, with 60 member chambers of commerce throughout the State, said investment in internationally infrastructure and people was vital to maintaining the momentum achieved in the Irish economy over the past 15 years.
John Dunne, Chambers Ireland
John Dunne, chief executive of Chambers Ireland, said research indicated that congestion is costing Irish business more than €2 billion annually through hours lost.
"Expensive lessons were learned in the last national development plan and we must ensure that we see the benefits in the current plan by ensuring timely delivery, value for money, effective oversight and return on investment," he said.
"The failure of the last plan to reach its spending targets in the BMW [Border, Midland, Western] region also cannot be overlooked. This plan benefits from the fact that it was conceived fully in the context of the National Spatial Strategy, and we hope that it will deliver more balanced regional development as a result," Mr Dunne added.
"We welcome the fact that the plan represents a significant acceleration in capital spending, but the Government must make it a priority to maximise the capacity of the economy to absorb capital spending to avoid any inflationary effects.
"Similarly, any decline in activity in private construction sector should immediately be offset by increased public investment until the plan is delivered," he said.
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland today welcomed the development plan but urged "prudent management of expenditure and public transparency to ensure the effective and timely delivery of public projects".
Tommy Broughan, Labour Party
The body said it particularly welcomed the priority given to infrastructure spend.
But the Labour Party expressed disappointment at the provisions for communications and broadband in the new National Development Plan 2007-2013.
Communications spokesman Tommy Broughan said that despite the allocation of €435 million until 2013, Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey "remains in denial about the scale of Ireland's broadband deficit.
"There is absolutely nothing new in today's package. Minister Dempsey runs the risk of pouring money into projects that have simply not delivered widespread, affordable broadband for Irish families and business," Mr Broughan said.