The Government's new spatial strategy to develop major towns and cities complements a similar plan for Northern Ireland, the North's regional development minister said today.
Ms Angela Smith welcomed the publication of the National Spatial Strategy, saying: "It is an important development and set alongside our own regional development strategy "Shaping Our Future 2025" provides unique strategic planning frameworks for both jurisdictions".
Ms Smith said: "The Regional Development Strategy and the National Spatial Strategy provide the strategic planning templates in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to achieve the common goal of long-term sustainable growth and balanced regional development".
The National Spatial Strategy, which was unveiled by Taoiseach yesterday, aims to rebalance the population away from Dublin by 2020 and improve the quality of life in towns and cities across the country.
It designates the Border towns of Dundalk, Sligo and Letterkenny in Co Donegal and a triangle of Midlands towns - Athlone, Mullingar and Tullamore - as four new urban areas or "gateways" where the Government will develop infrastructure, jobs and population.
They join five existing "gateways" in the country - Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick/Shannon and Waterford.
PA