Address by An Tánaiste Michael McDowell TD at the Launch of the
National Development Plan 2007-2013
Dublin Castle, Jan 23, 2007

Ladies and gentlemen, the launch of this National Development Plan, which covers the years 2007 to 2013, represents a genuine milestone for Ireland. I call it a milestone because we as a country have now achieved a position, where we can fund such an ambitious programme of development almost entirely from our own resources.

We are very grateful for the massive support we received from the European Union for similar programmes in the past. I remember John Hume saying many years ago that moving from being a net beneficiary of the Union to being in the position to be a net contributor should not be regarded as a matter of concern but rather one of our finest achievements. I hope that the European Commission and the other member states will also take satisfaction from their role in realising that achievement.

We’re in this happy position because of our economic success, a success that in recent years has resulted in our having a per capita income above the EU average. That success was greatly facilitated by investment in infrastructure and, in particular, in education and training. It was also driven by our access to the Single European Market that made Ireland attractive to Foreign Direct Investment and provided outlets for indigenous firms and entrepreneurs. However, it was fundamentally based on our commitment, as a society, to growth based on education, innovation and a spirit of enterprise.

The fact that we have achieved our current level of success does not mean however that we don’t face major challenges. Above all we face the challenge of ensuring that we can continue to develop in a sustainable manner and yet in a manner that meets the needs and expectations of a growing population. This challenge cannot be met, as some would argue, by adopting an anti-growth and anti-development strategy. Indeed the reverse is the case. It can only be met by an outward looking, confident and development-orientated society that is open to innovation and change.

The Plan presented here today sets out a programme of integrated investments that will underpin our ability to grow in a manner that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable - not just for this generation but for our children and grandchildren. It recognises that sustainability depends on a growing economy that can provide support and incentives for the research, innovation and enterprise that will enable us to meet these challenges.

It is therefore particularly welcome that the Plan provides for an investment of some €8.2bn in Science Technology and Innovation This represents a massive increase in our investment in this area and will provide a powerful engine of creativity that will enable Ireland to join the ranks of the world’s most innovative societies. This will be complemented by the almost €26bn investment in education and training that will ensure we have the level of education and skills needed to compete in the rapidly changing world of the 21^st century.

Success in the 21st century will also require a harnessing of all the resources and all the people of our island.

Given the current deficiencies in physical infrastructure and our projected population growth the almost €55bn investment is essential to improving our quality of life, economic competitiveness and providing balanced regional development. This programme will provide the infrastructure to link our regions together and provide each region with critical infrastructure needed to develop the self-sustaining growth that will ensure balanced regional development. It will also provide us with the basis to contemplate imaginative developments such as "The New Heart of Dublin" proposal, which I believe could be self-financing without recourse to the exchequer.

In the area of milestones I would also draw attention to the fact that for the first time a National Development Plan contains proposals for significant Irish Government investment in North/South projects of mutual benefit and the fact that such proposals are likely to be welcomed across both communities in Northern Ireland. I look forward to agreeing and implementing these with a restored Northern Ireland Executive. I believe that they will form part of a process that will enable all the people of this island to develop all of its resources for their mutual benefit.

And I mean all of our people. Meeting these challenges requires the full participation of all our citizens. Recent growth has given us the resources to provide greater support than ever before to the less well off. This plan explicitly recognises the link between successful development and successful social inclusion by providing for investment of almost €34bn in Social Infrastructure and almost €50bn in other Social Inclusion measures. The measures in this Plan will strengthen the National Anti-Poverty Strategy focus on ensuring that people have the supports necessary to achieve their full potential at all stages of their life.

As I said at the start of my remarks it is a measure of the country’s success that we can fund this ambitious programme of investment almost exclusively from domestic resources. However, this in no way obviates the need to take every step possible to ensure that we achieve value for money. The Plan therefore sets out comprehensive measures to ensure that we get full value for your money both in procuring projects and in ensuring their efficient use.

The implementation of this ambitious, considered and appropriate Plan will be a major national undertaking requiring the cooperation of all sections of society. I look forward to working with the Social Partners, Regional and Local Authorities and indeed all of our citizens to ensure its success.