IBEC calls for massive roads investment

A report by employers' body, IBEC, has recommended that up to 5.5 billion euros be invested in the country's road network.

The report claims that current levels of resourcing of the agencies - and particular the National Roads Authority (NRA) - "are inadequate in the context of a programme that is unprecedented in terms of its scale and ambition."
The report maintains that some 2,500 kilometres of road will have to be built by 2020.

IBEC says for that target to be reached on time the pace of road building will have to rise from 50 km a year to at least 100km.
To finance the ambitous building programme, IBEC has urged the Government to increase the involvement of the private sector through tolling.