Businesses in the North-West have voiced their concerns over the slow pace of progress with significant capital projects and called for accelerated delivery of the National Development Plan.
The groups voiced their concerns at a meeting with local public representatives.
The meeting was held at the Pramerica Offices in Letterkenny.
Businesses say they need to support balanced growth and job creation across the entire country.
In particular, they are calling for the recent corporate tax windfall to be directed towards much-needed infrastructure to position the regional economy to grow.
Ibec North West Regional President Cormac Kearns said: “Businesses are anxious to see progress in the delivery of Project Ireland 2040 as challenges around peripherality and connectivity intensify. The delivery of strategic road infrastructure will help improve inter-urban and inter-regional connectivity and offer greater accessibility that will drive growth.
“Investment in education and skills should also be viewed as a key infrastructure priority that will help support continued business growth in the region.
“The country is currently enjoying windfall corporate tax revenue and there is an opportunity to invest in much-needed infrastructure, improve overall quality of life and position the regional economy to grow. Delays on infrastructure have significant costs and pose a real threat to economic growth and damage competitiveness. Unless we deliver the infrastructure, the region will continue to develop at a slower pace.”
Mr Kearns added: “With a disorderly Brexit looking increasingly likely and with regions being most vulnerable in this scenario, fast-tracking infrastructure investment is more vital than ever. We must invest ambitiously and deliver on committed projects as urgently as possible.”
