The Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) has urged the Government to fast-track the delivery of 13 major infrastructure projects, as their research has found the region is now on par with the least well-off areas of Europe in terms of infrastructure.
Chairperson of the assembly, Councillor Jarlath Munnelly said the region can "take pressure off the greater Dublin region if Government provides adequate investment in the region".
Assembly members gathered for a special meeting last Friday to finalise a submission for the first draft revision to the National Planning Framework.
The NWRA's Regional Infrastructure Tracker found that the region’s transport infrastructure ranked the 218th out of 234 NUTS 2 regions examined in the European Commission’s Regional Competitiveness Index.
Further research found that the region received less than 10% of the nationwide investment in infrastructure projects worth more than €1 million, despite accounting for 17.6% of Ireland’s population.
In contrast, the Eastern and Midlands Region of Ireland received 66.5% of investment from projects worth more than €1 million, despite the region accounting for less than 50% of the population of Ireland.
The NWRA has urged the Government to prioritise 13 infrastructure projects for the region at an estimated cost that would range from €4.8 billion to €6.8 billion.
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Projects include the Donegal Ten-T Project, N2 Clontibret to the Border Road Scheme, N6 Galway City Ring Road, A5 Western Transport Corridor, expansion of higher and research education infrastructure assets in the region as well as the development of rail, maritime and airport infrastructure.
NWRA director Denis Kelly said that "adopting a regional approach for the revised National Planning Framework will be crucial to overcoming these sizeable infrastructure deficits in the Northern and Western Region".
Sligo Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Aidan Doyle, said "failure to move ahead with the N17 project would be highly damaging for the region".
The Draft First Revision to the National Planning Framework was published by the Government for public consultation on 10 July and the consultation period will runs until Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing said they "will not be commenting on individual submissions".
The spokesperson added that the department will "review all submissions received and undertake an assessment of what amendments to the Draft First Revision to the NPF are required before a final version is submitted to Government for approval".
