The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) has called for the quick implementation of the National Development Plan to offset the negative impact of the house construction slump.
In a pre-budget submission, IBEC Director General, Turlough O’Sullivan said: "The next Budget should focus on the measures government can take to enable Irish enterprises to trade successfully."
He continued: "The National Development Plan should enhance our ability to compete by providing the platform to increase national productivity. With the slowdown in house building, this is a particularly opportune time to fast-tract the construction of roads and other infrastructure priorities.
"It is particularly important that we deliver NDP projects to gateway towns and hubs rapidly so that balanced regional development will become a reality. For example, the work on major roadways could be carried out around the clock and a programme of schools' construction and upgrading should begin immediately."
Mr O'Sullivan concluded: "There is plenty of work to be done."
IBEC has also called for a boost to productivity through greater support for research and development and through training and education.
(JM)
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