Calls for action to counterbalance Dublin growth
IPI president Henk van der Kamp said the comparatively slow population growth in Cork, Waterford and Limerick reflected the failure of these cities to provide a strong counterbalance to Dublin as a growth centre.
Mr van der Kamp said there was a need for proactive measures to reverse the more dispersed pattern of population growth identified in the 2006 census, especially in the Dublin commuter belt.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte said the new census figures, which show a post-famine record population of 4.23 million people, highlight many challenges facing the next Government.
He claimed the Government which will be elected into office next year will have to make concentrated efforts to address a number of important socio-economic issues in order to secure balanced regional development and the proper planning of public services.
Although Mr Rabbitte welcomed continuing growth within the greater Dublin area, he noted that it also indicated the failure of the existing Government to adequately provide for more balanced regional growth.
Green party leader Trevor Sargent urged politicians to put aside the dispute about electoral boundaries to concentrate on the real issues presented by the census results.
“It is paramount that people living in areas which are experiencing a population boom receive adequate schools, hospitals and transport services,” he said.
Fine Gael spokesman Phil Hogan said the census figures showed the problem of urban sprawl was continuing to worsen.
