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.

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"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)