Decades of underinvestment, which is hampering the west of Ireland's ability to stimulate long-term economic growth, needs to be addressed by the Government.
The call comes from Irish business group Ibec which says the Government needs to focus on enhancing quality-of-life and addressing sustainability issues if the West is to develop as an area of national and international significance.
Ibec CEO Danny McCoy says its vision for the West is to "realise its potential in becoming a globally competitive location" which can attract investment from the world’s leading companies and become a "magnet for top talent both from within Ireland and overseas".
McCoy, speaking at the Galmont Hotel in Galway as part of its Regional Insights Series, the West is well positioned to compete against other European cities for talent, trade and investment, but there are issues which need to be addressed.
"Decades of underinvestment means that a range of challenges in crucial quality of life areas like housing, education, transport, and inter-regional connectivity must be addressed if the region is to realise its full potential.
"People decide where to live based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities. Industry tends to follow talent and, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place, as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level."
Its priorities for the region include key transport projects to deliver "multi-modal" usage and sustainable mobility, accessible for all; investment and reform for higher eduction, 'right' housing house tyoes, tenures and sizes linked to transport, and sustainable neighbourhoods and a "compact liveable city based on attractive, diverse and accessible urban spaces".
McCoy says it is crucial these challenges also must be addressed in a means that "balances economic, environmental, social and governance goals".
"Ibec wants to work with all stakeholders to build sustainable competitive advantages for the region and drive positive economic and societal impact. Achieving that vision will be important not only for the region, but also for the continued growth and success of the national economy.”
Ibec is also calling for greater integration of land use and transport to more walking, cycling and pubic transport use, in addition to prioritising "strategic" road projects, including the N6 Galway City Ring Road. The National Broadband Plan needs to be accelerated to "ensure a supportive regulatory environment for the successful roll-out of 5G", Ibec says.
The West as a "experience economy" needs to be developed to promote it as an attractive region to work, live and invest, while town centres also need a greater mix of uses to ensure continued growth, while othr priorities include maximising the potential for renewable energy development along the western seaboard, and matching "the ambition in the new Research and Innovation Strategy with the necessary investment and strengthen research and innovation capacity in the region".
