Report identifies southern, eastern regional needs

The overriding priority for the southern and eastern region is to manage the rapid growth of the late 1990s and develop the centres at Waterford and Cork, with smaller centres at Tralee and Dundalk.

The report identifies urban congestion as a serious threat to prosperity and recommends the consideration at least of tolling and other "user pays" systems.

Investment in railways, roads, services and urban and village renewal are identified as priorities. Increased investment in public transport will include Luas and DART. Public transport upgrading has also been identified as a priority for Waterford and Cork.

While the region has six out of the seven universities in the State and a majority of the institutes of technology, there is a need for the development of third-level colleges and it is suggested the Waterford Institute of Technology be developed as a university. Because this region is more industrialised than the Border, Midlands and Western region, it has a greater demand for skilled labour.

It is proposed that investment focus on the rail links between growth centres to maximise the capacity offered by them. Waterford Regional Airport should also be developed.

Industry in the form of mari-culture and tourism is seen as important in the south of the region and there is to be investment in fishery harbours, land-side infrastructure including water services, piers and road access.

The blueprint identifies the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor as an investment opportunity, with its transportation and urban infrastructure already in place. Industrial land is already available.

Identified threats to the region's prosperity are: crime and disorder, particularly in the larger cities, shortage of enterprise space, lack of telecommunications investment in rural areas, congestion and rising property prices.

Measures to deal with these difficulties include an emphasis on social inclusion, training programmes, the development of commercial agriculture to reduce the impact of CAP reform together with the agricultural diversification and rural development programmes.

The region should also enjoy the continued funding of non-national roads focused on linking remoter route corridors as well as facilitating multiple use by forestry, tourism, aqua-culture and fisheries.

The blueprint also suggests that rising property prices in Dublin can be challenged by the development of the regional centres. It recommends a "serviced land initiative" and planning studies implementation.