Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In the event that the decentralisation of State agencies is to proceed, how does the Minister envisage the practical outworking of the recommendation that workers not relocating would be provided with realistic alternative career options? Is it not unrealistic to consider people with specific, specialised roles and responsibilities as part of a multi-transferable workers' template between the various State agencies? Many such agencies have completely different focus points and purposes. It is most unlikely that people who have spent many years training and carrying out their specific functions in a State agency will find themselves comfortably fitted within another entity. What is the Minister's response to SIPTU, which represents 1,600 workers in State agencies, when, in light of all the information we have and the difficulties clearly signalled, it calls on him to abandon the proposal to relocate State agencies?

See this speech in context