Engineers Ireland has lodged a series of recommendations with the Department of Finance for Budget 2018.

The recommendations include calls for a sustained increase in capital investment towards 2027 and list priority projects to support sustainable economic growth.

Engineers Ireland's top five priorities for the Budget and public reform are:

• Steadily and sustainably increase capital investment, targeting a level of 4% GDP by 2027 as part of the forthcoming 10 year Capital Plan.

• Reform infrastructure policy, planning and delivery, including funding for a single infrastructure unit.

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• Ensure integration and implementation of existing plans, including the National Planning Framework, National Mitigation Plan, Rebuilding Ireland, and Irish Water Business Plan

• Invest in all-island connectivity and regional development, including large-scale public transport, the M20 Cork to Limerick, the A5 Aughnacloy to Derry, and digital connectivity

• Provide for a world-class education and training system for all to overcome the shortage of engineers and other skilled professionals.

Dr Kieran Feighan, President, Engineers Ireland, said: "The welcome economic recovery is placing major demands on our infrastructure and services – bottlenecks are emerging in many sectors. We are also heading into a 'perfect storm' of demographic pressures: the need for climate action, rapid technological change, and political uncertainty. Future investment decisions must be driven by evidenced-based solutions to these challenges and Engineers Ireland is committed to bringing the expertise of the engineering profession to the budgetary process."