Proposals on regions mirror national plan

Recommendations in the NESC Report which affect regional development mirror those already expressed by a number of economic consultants and the Government, reflecting a broad consensus on what needs to be included in the forthcoming National Development Plan (NDP).

Indeed some recommendations such as spending on lifelong learning to "meet our key objectives of full employment, international competitiveness and social inclusion" are very much in line with the draft overview of the NDP, which the Government has drawn up for discussion with the social partners and the Irish Assembly of Regional Authorities.

Another example is the NESC's recommendations for balanced regional development. The NESC states that "an accelerated programme of balanced , economically and environmentally sustainable infrastructural development which is geared to under pinning our economic success" is now required.

For its part the Government's draft overview of the NDP has expressed a desire "for a substantial programme of investment in economic infrastructure including roads, public transport and environmental services amounting to £10.4 billion."

Significantly both the NESC and the Government conclude that a "fast-tracking" system for major infrastructural projects is necessary - even beyond that proposed in the Planning Bill - to ensure delivery of services within the life of the NDP.

A requirement for policies geared towards encouraging spatial development - the creation of growth centres - are also proposed by both the Government and NESC documents.

In its sections on rural development and agriculture, the NESC is again echoing much of the Government's thinking in its White Paper on "rural proofing" to encourage family farm-based activity and increase the number of viable forms of farm income. This in turn is aimed at preventing rural population decline and underpinning the provision of services to rural towns and villages.

While all the commentators now seem to be broadly agreed on the need for regional growth centres, there is some divergence about the level of support for some forms of public infrastructure.

For example, the ESRI does not propose investment in the State's regional airports, maintaining that if there is an economic demand there will be a corresponding supply. It takes a similar view with regard to the development of sea port facilities but acknowledges that certain "market failures", such as the extension of broadband telecommunications to rural areas, should receive State support.

The regional authorities, however, recommend public investment in air and sea ports while according to the NESC the fishing industry is in dire need of Government intervention - in the area of a diplomatic renegotiation of EU policy, due for review in 2002 - as well as in enterprise support and port facilities.

The NESC is also adamant that the State should utilise public investment in the telecommunications area to attract "flagship" foreign investment.