The Institution of Engineers has warned of pending shortfalls in basic services such as electricity, gas, waste management and water over the next 18 months and has urged Government to embark on the necessary remedial action. If the Government needed a wake-up call in relation to infrastructural spending, this is surely it. Failure to act at this time in pushing through major capital projects would not only exaggerate the impact of an external recession on the State, but would make it more difficult to take advantage of a world economic up-turn, when it comes.
The theme of the conference in Killarney, "Engineering an island for six million people", envisaged North/South planning on major infrastructural projects; the designation of towns and cities outside of Dublin and Belfast as key growth centres; and making provision for an increase of half a million people over the next eight years. The current economic slowdown was viewed as an opportunity by some speakers. Even before the horrendous events of September 11th, bottlenecks had emerged in the economy in relation to transport, power, communications and housing that were choking off growth. The president of the Institution, Mr Liam Connellan, estimated we were four years behind in the delivery of an adequate economic infrastructure and that while recent events might have provided us with a breathing space, they had not changed the need for rapid infrastructural development.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, provided reassurance for his listeners yesterday when he recognised that Ireland's long-term competitiveness depended on the delivery of vital infrastructure. And he favoured delivery of those capital projects identified in the National Development Plan, in spite of "short-term economic turbulence". Mr Ahern went on to say the National Spatial Strategy, which will shape the way the country will develop over the next 20 years, is now moving towards the final preparatory stage.
It is about time. The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, recently complained his Cabinet colleagues might not have the courage to reverse stagnation in the midlands, border and western regions. Action, rather than words, is now required.