The shortfall in infrastructure in areas such as land, roads and communications must be urgently addressed if the high growth rates in the economy are to be maintained, the chief executive of Forfas, Mr John Travers has warned.

He said that the unprecedented levels of economic growth in recent years had placed unexpected pressure on all aspects of infrastructure. "Planned provision has fallen significantly behind requirements in these areas," he said.

Mr Travers, whose agency is charged with developing overall industrial policy in Ireland, said information and communications technology is driving the global economy. He said the Government should invest in broadband technology in regional areas to encourage investment.

Broadband telecommunications enables intensive transmission of data, video conferencing and voice communications; several companies in Ireland are building fibre infrastructure to offer these services.