The Western Development Commission (WDC) says promised Government money for infrastructure in the west should be "time-bound" so that the funds are "definitely spent".
The predicted rapid growth in population over the next two decades underpins the urgent need to bridge the infrastructural gap, Lisa McAllister, chief executive of the WDC, said, marking the publication of the commission's 2004 annual report.
"The Government needs to be making plans now in relation to population distribution," said Ms McAllister.
"If infrastructure spending continues to grow at a faster pace outside the western region then it is self-evident that, in spite of the National Spatial Strategy, the problems for all regions will get worse."
The WDC's report for 2004 notes there is a €2 billion underspend by the State in the Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) region.
The report reiterates the WDC's support for a major spend on infrastructure in the west when the Minister for Transport announces his new investment programme for transport.
It says time-bound targets should be included, similar to those earmarked for major inter-urban roads in the National Development Plan (NDP).
The report emphasises the WDC's support for the western rail corridor as part of improved transport, energy and telecommunications provision.
It says recent analyses of poverty and deprivation in Ireland have shown that the western counties are among the most disadvantaged in the State.
Apart from counties Galway and Clare, the relative position of western counties has not improved much since 1991.
At yesterday's publication, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Eamon Ó Cuív, said he accepted criticisms regarding infrastructure development in the "early part" of the NDP from 2000 to 2003, but there had been improved spending on road construction by the National Roads Authority in the BMW region.
The Taoiseach and the Government had also made it clear that "they are giving urgent and positive consideration to the western rail corridor", Mr Ó Cuív said.
The Minister said he wished to emphasise that decentralisation was central to this Government's policy, and he would be moving his department to Knock airport.
Dara Calleary of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) noted that a lack of progress in providing infrastructure for the BMW region must be partially blamed on "too many statutory agencies, with differing priorities, lobbying government on projects that are difficult to deliver".
He said that "the region would be better off with one strong agency encompassing the role of the current myriad of agencies.
"It, in turn, could demand very clear prioritisation of regional issues."
