Business and employers' organisation Ibec has said the next government needs to restore the country's capacity to compete internationally to avoid a serious downturn in prosperity.
This is possible only by improving productivity and controlling business costs, Ibec stated.
Ibec director general Turlough O'Sullivan said that attention had been taken away from Ireland as a competitive country, with a loss in market share of world trade since 2000.
"Attention has slipped away from this for the past seven years when the main drivers of economic growth have been housing and consumer spending, both of which will slow down. We must now get back to restoring demand for our goods and services from overseas, something we have lost in recent years," he said.
Ibec says it is necessary for the incoming government to ensure that all regions of the country can contribute to Ireland's economic growth, and that this needs be matched by improvements to the transport infrastructure of the country.
The body also called for improved public services, the retention of a low tax environment, and an assurance that Ireland's corporation tax regime will keep pace with its international competitors.
The next government should also address the issue of early school leaving and encourage increased levels of third level study, Ibec said.