Engineers Ireland made the call to ensure it is better able to deliver strategic national infrastructure projects in a timely manner.
Launching its annual 'State of Ireland' report, Engineers Ireland put forward a range of actions in the key areas of energy, communications, transport, waste and water.
This year, the organisation placed special emphasis on energy, formulating proposals using expert insights, and challenging industry and partners, including Government, to tackle climate change.
The report launch was performed by the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Denis Naughten TD.
The Minister said: "The Government is committed to investing in strategic national infrastructure. We will continue to make significant long-term investments in areas like communications, transport, education, health and enterprise. In every part of the country, these investments will boost competitiveness, create jobs and improve equality of opportunity. Additionally, the over-dependence on fossil fuels challenges all of us to work together to find a balanced and sustainable energy mix. This effort must be marked by community consultation and open dialogue."
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Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Dara Calleary welcomed the report.
Deputy Calleary said: "It's my view that investment in infrastructure is the most effective means of ensuring we all feel the benefits of the recovery, from more modern hospitals and schools to improved public transport and better roads. The previous Government's Capital Plan as presented falls well short of achieving this.
"Ireland now lags well behind the OECD average for the quality of our infrastructure. Efficient infrastructure such as telecoms, energy, transport, broadband and water is vital to support national competitiveness and balanced regional employment.
"Ireland needs to take a long term view on infrastructure projects and what this country needs over the next century. This is particularly important in light of the serious challenges of climate change and the need to upgrade our infrastructure to cope with growing demand. This requires long term planning and investment.
"I am proposing the establishment of a new National Infrastructure Commission which would be tasked with planning infrastructure over a 25 year period. We need to go beyond the limited 5 year cycle of current capital plans in order to secure our long term requirements."
(CD/LM)
