North-South dimension:The National Development Plan promises "significant" Irish Government investment in North/South projects to be agreed with the British government and a restored Northern Ireland executive.
However, it does not outline any specific costing for projects, saying in some cases they will involve more effective use of existing funding on an all-island basis.
Projects will involve significant investment by the Irish Government, the plan says.
The proposed package includes joint investment in new strategic projects North and South, and the opening of access to existing development funding on an all-island basis. The plan says priorities for agreement on joint projects include:
the completion of "high-quality" road networks on the inter-urban routes linking Dublin, Belfast and the northwest by 2013;
the development of the Dublin-Belfast rail line;
improved access for tourism;
the possibility of restoring the Ulster Canal;
a significant upgrading of higher-education capacity in the northwest and the Border regions through alliances between educational institutions North and South;
and maximising the potential for cross-Border cancer services.
The proposed "all-island funds" will be subject to agreement with the British government in the areas of education, skills, science and innovation, regional development, and energy research, including renewable and sustainable energy.
The funds will address long-term challenges that need to be tackled and will be agreed on a competitive basis, rewarding innovation and collaboration and ensuring funds are allocated to the best project, the plan states.
It adds that since the Good Friday agreement, there has been a transformation in Northern Ireland and in North/South co-operation and an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity.
Frank Millar, London Editor, adds: British chancellor Gordon Brown welcomed yesterday's publication of the National Development Plan, with its proposed major investment in North/South projects.
The British and Irish governments had discussed the importance of the economic dimension of the Northern Irish peace process during the St Andrews negotiation, Mr Brown said.
He had been pleased to announce a significant package of funding and investment for Northern Ireland last November.
"I therefore warmly welcome the announcement of the Irish Government's National Development Plan, which proposes major investment in North/South projects and initiatives for the benefit of the entire island of Ireland," he said.
"I believe that, taken together, our common efforts offer a unique opportunity to restore devolved government on a sound and forward-looking basis."