Galway Chamber calls for regional equality in National Development Plan Review
The new head of Galway Chamber has claimed that the lack of timely investment in critical infrastructure is severely limiting Galway unlocking its competitive potential.
Galway Chamber CEO Karen Ronan was speaking in relation to the Chamber’s Submission to the National Development Plan Review.
“Ireland’s GDP growth is estimated at 3.7% for 2025, however the State currently ranks at just 38th in basic infrastructure availability,” she said.
“Galway’s situation is even more stark with the recent European Commissions Regional Competitive Index report that ranks the West and North West in the bottom 20 EU regions for transport infrastructure. When you consider the success of Galway as a key enabler of inward investment, we can no longer accept this imbalance,” she added.
To counter this, Galway Chamber is calling for an equitable regional development with no trade-offs.
And it wants to Galway’s designation as a growth centre in the National Planning Framework to be backed by real investment.
It is also seeking emergency legislation to fast-track planning and expedite key projects as a matter of urgency.
“The review of the NDP must prioritise effective delivery, clear accountability and decisive action if we are to unlock Galway’s potential as a connected and competitive regional economic engine” added Ms Ronan.
She said that Galway Chamber backed Chambers Ireland in claiming that core infrastructure leading with transport, water and energy were the defining infrastructural shortcomings of the past ten years which have had a profound knock-on impact on housing.
At the same time, Chambers Ireland also issued a call to action for delivering the State’s key infrastructure as part of its submission to the ongoing review of the National Development Plan.
“This contrast between strong economic performance and poor infrastructure represents not just a statistical anomaly, but a significant constraint on our competitiveness,” said Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, Ian Talbot.
“It is essential that we reverse this trend and plan robustly for the future as our population expands,” he added.
Pictured: Galway Chamber CEO, Karen Ronan.