Report on planning gets positive response

THE ESRI report on investment priorities for the period 2000 to 2006 represented an important contribution to the Republic's future development plan, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, said yesterday. Mr McCreevy said he noted in particular the proposed emphasis on investment in infrastructure and human resources.

"The emphasis on balanced regional development is consistent with the Government's approach to regionalisation for structural fund purposes," he said in a statement.

The publication of the ESRI report and two forthcoming regional strategy documents covering the proposed new regions of the State would provide an opportunity for holding a seminar involving Government departments, regional authorities and the social partners to discuss the National Development Plan, he added. This was being planned for the end of April, Mr McCreevy said.

"The 200-2006 plan will establish the priorities that Ireland faces as it enters the new millennium and set out how these priorities will be implemented," Mr McCreevy said in his statement. "The goal of the next plan will be to lay the groundwork required to facilitate continued and balanced economic growth and ensure that the fruits of this growth are shared by all."

Meanwhile IBEC, the employers' lobby group, said yesterday it supported the broad thrust of the ESRI report and would be submitting its own proposals on infrastructure to the Government. IBEC said the scale of the Republic's infrastructure deficit, requiring, for example, a £7 billion (€8.8 billion) investment in transport and environment, should be brought to the attention of other EU member-states at the Berlin summit next week.

IBEC said the authorities should consider a more ambitious role for public/private partnerships and planned to send its proposals to the Government shortly.

"In parallel, the Government should also take a critical look at the proposed changes to the planning laws to make sure that the essential investments identified by the ESRI are not delayed," said IBEC's director for EU affairs and strategic planning, Mr Peter Brennan.