Dundalk Chamber urges strong NDP backing to unlock region’s growth potential

Dundalk Chamber has welcomed the ringfencing of €36 billion for housing and water infrastructure and the €24 billion that has been allocated for transport under the National Development Plan.

The Chamber said: “While specific projects under the NDP will be announced closer to the Budget, we take this opportunity to reiterate our call for the Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry region to retain its current strategic status.

“Positioned at the heart of the Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC), this cross-border region has the potential to serve as a vital counterbalance to the concentrated growth in both Dublin and Belfast. With the right infrastructure investment, the region can offer high-quality living, sustainable population growth, and economic resilience.

“This region has the largest urban population within one hour's reach and already possesses much of the critical infrastructure needed to support continued growth. However, persistent bottlenecks must be addressed through targeted investment under the NDP.”

In their submission they outlined four key priority areas:

• Infrastructure Upgrades: Immediate investment is required in water and wastewater treatment facilities, particularly upgrading the Dundalk Wastewater Treatment Plant to meet environmental standards. Enhanced water supply is also essential to meet the needs of a growing population and industrial base.
• Transport and Connectivity: Improved public transport and stronger road and rail links throughout the DBEC are critical. This includes better cross-border mobility and direct air connectivity to both Dublin and Belfast airports.
• Housing and Enabling Infrastructure: Delivering homes where people want to live requires unlocking zoned land by prioritizing enabling infrastructure such as electricity, water, and transport. Support for modern construction methods and more flexible planning policies is also essential to meet housing demand and ensure affordability.
• Sustainable Spatial Development: Planned expansion of Dundalk’s urban core and its surrounding villages should be guided by balanced and sustainable spatial strategies to support long-term, resilient growth.

“We also emphasise the importance of completing the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) in Drogheda, a project vital not only for Drogheda but for the future development of County Louth as a whole,” they said.

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Chamber President Hanna McDonnell stated: "This Plan must further support our long-term vision — now recognised in the NDP — of the M1 region functioning as a 'linear city' that warrants the same level of investment and policy focus as Ireland’s existing cities."

Paddy Malone, PRO of Dundalk Chamber, added: "This review offers the Government a chance to make stronger commitments to the M1 Corridor and the wider Dublin-Belfast Economic Corridor, reinforcing both regional development and the Shared Island Initiative."