The purpose of developing Atlantic Gateways linking Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford should be to give the region the ability to compete internationally, rather than seeking to stem growth on the east coast, according to an economic development expert.
At a conference in Cork organised by Shannon Development, Prof Simin Davoudi, of Leeds Metropolitan University, said: "From my reading of the National Spatial Strategy for Ireland, it is certainly its intention to promote a potential-based strategy rather than a redistribution-based strategy - the idea is to enhance the potential of other regions in the country to be able to compete internationally.
"The idea isn't to make them bigger so they can compete with Dublin . . . or to dampen down growth in Dublin - it's to create other zones of economic growth which can be as successful," he said.
Prof Davoudi has worked on a similar development, the Northern Way linking the north-west, north-east and Yorkshire and Humber in the UK. He said the Atlantic Gateways could capitalise on competitive advantages such as less congestion and lower property prices than in the greater Dublin area.
Dr Alan Barrett of FGS Consulting told the conference that population growth in the greater Dublin area averaged 20 per cent during 1996 to 2002, while population growth nationally was just 8 per cent.
The development of Atlantic Gateways offered a way to achieve a more balanced development, but several linkages would be needed to make that a reality including first, major infrastructural improvements.