Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform obviously has a different view from the Taoiseach.

A letter has been sent to you, a Cheann Comhairle, by Deputy Richard Bruton, who raised the matter of decentralisation in the House last week. You refused an opportunity for proper discussion of the issue. The decentralisation programme does not contain a risk assessment of the effect of any agencies being transferred, no human resource plan has been developed, no proper assessment of the financial projections and implications have been presented, none of the selected locations has been justified against criteria for successful regionalisation and no answer has been given to the many people who, because of family, education or other ties, do not want to move. Can you explain, Sir, with regard to Deputy Bruton's letter to you, how it is proposed that this House can have a measure of accountability on a major programme that was announced in the House?

We were due to receive a proposal from the Government today for dealing with matters relating to Judge Brian Curtin. What is the up to date position with this?

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