Business and employers' lobby group Ibec has said the Government's €75 billion investment plan must support balanced regional development if the Republic is to achieve its full potential.

In its submission to the Government on the plan, due to be issued in November, Ibec called on the Government to provide an infrastructure framework that would enable everyone working and living in the Republic to expect a certain set of infrastructural standards.

Ibec director general Turlough O'Sullivan said everyone should be able to commute efficiently to and from work and that infrastructure should facilitate the efficient movement of freight throughout Ireland.

Ibec also said local access for every child to an education system of the highest international standards should be provided. The State's planning and development system should ensure that new towns and communities were fully serviced with all necessary amenities and that a clean environment was maintained.

It added that the health service should provide professional, sound and efficient care to all sections of the population.

"If our common goal is to raise the living standards and educational attainment of all our citizens, then the forthcoming National Development Plan provides an opportunity to achieve this," Mr O'Sullivan said.

"As a nation we need this goal in order to develop confidently and to our full potential. Having successfully started the process of lifting all boats relatively late compared with many of our EU neighbours, it is vital that we not just maintain but improve momentum."

Despite moderate progress under the current plan, Ibec said the State continued to suffer from a lack of basic infrastructure. It argued that the new NDP should put an emphasis on balanced regional development, including meeting the full potential for North-South collaboration. The plan should also include a realistic examination of the issue of capacity.