The Irish Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has said that the upcoming Irish Budget must recognise how important implementing the National Development Plan (NDP) is and Finance Minister Brian Cowen should borrow to finish it, if needed.
The CIF was reacting to the pre-Budget Outlook, adding that Mr Cowen's commitment to the NDP is welcome. Tom Parlon, CIF Director General says Ireland lags in infrastructure development. "We need to once and for all address definitively Ireland 's longstanding infrastructure deficits and in doing so we can help to ensure the continued economic growth that we have experienced for the last decade,” he said.
"Ireland 's ability to compete effectively at the upper end of the global economy is inextricably bound up with the quality of its public infrastructure. The quality of public and private transportation, education, health, water and wastewater, waste management, energy and environmental infrastructure impact national competitiveness and must be a priority for Government. There can be no diversion from commitments on capital expenditure, and, if required, Government must borrow and borrow up to the limits permitted by the Stability and Growth Pact to fund infrastructure development planning," he added