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A leading economist has claimed the Mid West of Ireland has suffered from an imbalance of regional development.
Jim Power said authorities could not longer 'just paying lip service' to the issue.
He claimed serious investment was needed to ensure the region could cope with the "population explosion" expected over the next two decades.
"One of the characteristics of Ireland’s recent economic development has been the unbalanced nature of economic growth and development – with a disproportionate amount of development concentrated on the East coast."
He said it this pattern continues the East coast, there is "in danger of imploding and not being able to cope with the resultant demands".
Mr Power said the government must use the National Development Plans, Transport 21 and the National Spatial Strategy to achieve better balance.
He said ongoing investment in access – transport infrastructure such as ports, airport, rail and road - is "critical" for the Mid West economy.
Mr Power will speak further on the measures needed to deliver balanced regional development when he addresses a national Shannon Development conference titled ‘Dynamic Regions – Future Directions in Regional Development’.
An expert panel of national and international speakers, leaders in their fields, has been assembled by Shannon Development for their forthcoming conference, due to take place on 6 November at Limerick's Thomond Park Stadium.
The conference will hear from Trade Minister Mary Coughlan and Dr Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive of Shannon Development, Ireland’s only regional development company.
Dr Cunnane said the conference would provide an opportunity to "share and learn", by assembling some of the leading experts in the field of regional development.
"Our speakers will tackle a number of important topics that will provide the lead to influence future regional development planning," he said.
Private sector and industry leaders concerned with public private initiatives in regional development will also attend the conference.
(PR/BMcC)
