Continuing partnership agreements will be critical to Ireland's future prosperity, according to Mr John Travers, chief executive of Forfas.

Speaking at the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants' monthly lunch, Mr Travers outlined the priority issues for economic development over the next few years.

While warnings against "complacency" given the uncertain international environment Mr Travers, said we must shape our own future through a "systematic and well-researched" approach to policy formulation.

He warned that Ireland is now at a "pivotal point" and the significantly higher living standards as well as substantive reductions in unemployment levels are now within our grasp.

It is important to build and to hold onto the emphasis on the enterprise sector and particularly a focus on the "regulatory and competitive environment", he said.

Other priorities include putting continuing downward pressure on public expenditure, public debt and taxation as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product.

Mr Travers also warned that it is important to recognise that Ireland's relationship with the EU is undergoing fundamental change at present and will be significantly different in future years than it has been in the past.

The changes require the development of additional competence in public administration and Government departments, he said.