Tara Hill protection pressure group, TaraWatch, has called on the government to radically redesign the National Development Plan (NDP), as public and private sectors prepare to begin discussions on how to revitalise the economy.

TaraWatch has demanded a new form of NDP, based on redevelopment, rather than development, in order to achieve sustainable economic development.

The group said focus should be shifted away from building "dozens of carbon-emitting motorways, facilitating urban sprawl, which cause climate change, and will hurt Ireland economically".

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Existing roads and rail lines should be redeveloped, rather than new motorways being built, according to TaraWatch.

The groups also said new construction contracts under the NDP should be fixed-price, in order to prevent further state overspending.

TaraWatch recommended the government combines the M3 and M2, which are both currently being built five miles apart.

The group said this could save one billion euros in construction costs, and encourage commerce by being toll-free.

"A radical rethink of the National Development Plan is needed, using all the latest thinking on efficiency and economic sustainability," a TaraWatch spokesman said.

"It is time for the Government to listen to the latest thinking, as well as the local thinking, in order for this country to truly regain itself from a position of strength," he added.

(PR/JM)