Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The Minister is effectively saying the Taoiseach misled the Dáil. The Taoiseach said in the Dáil that the core policy units may be not be moved as part of decentralisation. However, the Minister has now said that the full decentralisation programme, as originally planned, is going ahead. This opinion differs from that expressed in this House by the Taoiseach. One can only conclude that either the Taoiseach or the Minister was mistaken and misled the Dáil. Alternatively, is it a case that the Taoiseach and the Minister are not talking to each other and a final policy decision has not been taken?

It was initially promised that 10,000 civil servants would have moved to decentralised locations by December 2006. This was the original proposal and commitment given to the Dáil. The reality is that by December 2006, no more than 1,000 civil servants will have moved. The programme is getting shakier by the day in respect of what will happen on other fronts. A further parliamentary question also explores possibilities in respect of decentralisation and what will happen. Was the Taoiseach wrong in telling the Dáil that the core policy groups within the Departments may not move from Dublin? Will the Minister give the House a straight answer?

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