The newly-elected Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) has said that his Assembly’s Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy – the first of its kind to be adopted in Ireland – demonstrates what can be achieved when regional strengths are pulled together.

Following his official launch of the strategy at EMRA’s meeting on 12 July, Cllr Eamon Dooley said: “Our vision is that of a sustainable and competitive region that supports the health and well-being of our people and places, from urban to rural, with access to quality housing, travel and employment opportunities for all in our region to 2031 and beyond.”

To achieve this goal, the RSES provides a strategic vision based on three key principles:

• Healthy place-making by promoting people’s quality of life.
• Climate action by enhancing the climate resilience and accelerating the transition of the Region to a low-carbon society.
• Economic opportunity by creating the right conditions for sustainable economic growth and quality jobs.

The region’s spatial and economic strategy includes a Dublin Metropolitan Plan, an investment framework and a climate action strategy. Informed by the Government’s ‘Project Ireland 2040’, the RSES is the result of a broad consultation and engagement process with a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, government departments and public bodies, and Assembly members who have had the opportunity to shape the final output.

The Assembly will now focus on the implementation of the strategy. “We will focus on maximising the assets of our region as well as identifying new opportunities and planning for challenges that await us, both in Ireland and internationally,” concluded EMRA’s Cathaoirleach.