Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today pledged the Government's 10-year transport programme would deliver "a 21st Century infrastructure for a 21st Century economy".
Speaking at an Irish Management Institute conference in Wicklow, Mr Ahern said the plan will identify and commit funding to an array of projects and would be completed "within a finite planning horizon".
Mr Ahern said: "The plan will see our capital endowment becoming aligned with our activity requirements."
The Taoiseach said the plan would not be aspirational but would be detailed projects in road and public transport developments. He added the plan was being finalised and would be brought before Cabinet in the coming weeks.
It understood the plan will decide on a metro system through north Dublin to the airport, extensions to rail services in Kildare and Meath, road schemes valued at around €1 billion per year and a second terminal at Dublin Airport.
Mr Ahern also told delegates at the conference that businesses must be prepared to innovate at all levels -identifying new markets. He said this was the basis of the Government's decision to pursue new opportunities in the Far East under the Asia strategy.
Mr Ahern pointed to the success of the social partnership model, ensuring pay agreements and constructive approaches to resolving disputes in the workforce. But he warned the social partnership model was not without weaknesses.
"It would be a real shame if that holistic and strategic approach to national problem solving were ever to be lost. After all, no single organisation or body has a monopoly on wisdom," he said.
"Our social partnership model can continue to be successful, and will have my continuing support, if it faces up to the requirements of ongoing change, and radical change when that is necessary."
Mr Ahern told business chiefs it was a in the national interest that the European Constitution be ratified and denied it was about the creation of a European super state.