Policy

Ireland is among the 3 most centralised economies in the EU together with Greece and Portugal as confirmed by this ESPON map. Centralised economies generally suffer due to a lack of internal competition. The National Spatial Strategy sought to create a counterbalance to the over centralisation of the Irish economy and to spread investment to all parts of the country in a more sustainable manner through balanced regional development.

Moving away from a solely radial system of transport, power and communications infrastructure to create a more resilient and sustainable national infrastructure grid requires policy focus on the Western Arc.

Irish Policy Making is changing from the old-fashioned mindset of looking at the regions as a burden requiring subvention to an appreciation of the strategic asset which the western regions are to Ireland and to Europe.

Cities, Towns and Villages located in Ireland's Western regions have the capacity to provide for a greater share of population without placing undue strain on available resources. The region has the resources to create employment for its people without the young needing to emigrate and without endangering Ireland's economic competitiveness.