Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister's reply. In the context of voluntary negotiations, what is the Minister putting on the table for people in State agencies who opt to stay in Dublin? I understand that the Department of Finance, as the public service employer, has not offered any options to people who voluntarily want to remain in Dublin and whose contract is with the State agencies. These people have not been offered an alternative posting from the Minister's Department. Is it not extremely difficult for negotiations to occur when the key player, the public service employer, namely, the Minister, is not putting anything on the table?

Did the FÁS case not show that when the board of the company sought to push ahead by using promotions as lever, the unions rightly said it was not in the spirit of the programme and that it would have to be withdrawn? What is the strategy of Government moving forward for these State agencies because it is very important we retain the skills? If these agencies are to decentralise, they cannot do so on the basis of losing 80% to 90% of the key skills. It is good the Minister is talking about negotiations but we need to see the colour of his eyes in terms of what he will offer to those volunteer to remain in Dublin as many of these skilled people do.

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