Shannon Development chief executive Kevin Thompstone has urged the Government to prioritise regional development under the new National Development Plan.

Unveiling the regional development agency's year-end review for 2006, Mr Thompstone called for the delivery of a number of infrastructural projects in the western region.

"Much has been achieved, however, further investment in economic infrastructure, such as road, rail and telecoms, is needed to deliver balanced regional development in the Shannon region and the wider Atlantic Corridor," he said.

These included the delivery of projects such as the N18, the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor and securing the future of an independent Shannon International Airport, he said.

"In the context of the introduction of 'open skies', we believe that a strong tourism promotional marketing campaign targeted primarily in North America is needed to attract additional traffic through the Shannon airport gateway," he said.

Sales by agency-supported companies reached €5.3 billion in 2006, up 5.2 per cent on 2005. A total of 2,087 new jobs were created in the region, giving a net job increase of 575 to 20,530 jobs in total, the agency said.

Exports from Shannon Development-assisted companies rose by 5 per cent to just more than €4 billion last year, while R&D spending was 13.5 per cent stronger at €68.9 million.

Payroll costs were up 9.3 per cent to €734 million, while expenditure by Shannon Development-supported firms rose to €1.9 billion from €1.8 billion in 2005. The region attracted more than 1.7 million tourists and €407 million in tourism revenue.

Last year, the agency launched Ireland's first "e-town" at Milltown Malbay, investing €4 million in the project, while 16 broadband networks went live in the region. Preparatory work is under way on a €400 million liquified natural gas terminal in Co Kerry and a planning application is expected to be lodged this year, according to Mr Thompstone.