Cullen defends 'hubs' strategy

Environment Minister Martin Cullen is defending the National Spatial Strategy after a leading economist said the Government is failing the regions.

Dr Eoin O'Leary, author of a book on Irish Regional Development which is being launched today, says the strategy has too many cities and towns as gateways and hubs, completely failing to promote proper development in the regions.

He says it was done to keep local ministers happy, but unless it changed, our prosperity for the next 20 years could be jeapordised.

Mr Cullen, however, claimed it was too early to criticise the National Spatial Strategy as it was just one year old.