Donal Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a gabháil leat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, de bharr cead a thabhairt dom cúpla focal a rá anseo mar gheall ar decentralisation. The Government decided on a major decentralisation programme in the first week of December 2003. My concern is that, since that time, little has happened in various locations in practical terms, particularly in Macroom where I live and which I represent. However, there have been a number of reports in the meantime from decentralisation and communication groups, from which it appears that very little has happened in practical terms in Macroom.

Macroom did not come to the fore in the previous report and it was a matter of great disappointment to me and the people of the town that it was down the list regarding progress in decentralisation. Macroom was not included in the first 15 projects to be relocated and it is of the utmost importance that it is included in the next report. I thank the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, for keeping me updated regarding the accommodation brief in respect of the new laboratories which has been finalised within her Department.

The Office of Public Works was given prime responsibility for delivering the property aspects of the decentralisation programme. This matter is urgent because the site on which the present laboratories stand on Model Farm Road has been earmarked for housing. Therefore, the laboratories which have been earmarked for Macroom must be relocated urgently. The relocation of the laboratories from Model Farm Road provides the Department with an ideal opportunity to consolidate its laboratory operations in the southern region. This will involve the three laboratories in Cork, as well as two in Limerick, and I am pleased that Macroom will be recognised as the regional veterinary headquarters for Munster.

I ask the Minister to outline the progress made by the Office of Public Works in acquiring a suitable site or property. If such a suitable site or property has been earmarked, when can we expect accommodation to be made available for those departmental staff who volunteer to decentralise to the Macroom area? When will work commence on the programme to provide those facilities?

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