Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Burton raised a vast range of issues. When I receive the relevant reports I will examine them with care. However, decentralisation is Government policy. The implementation group is simply that, a group to implement the programme. There has been some slippage in meeting targets but a substantial amount of decentralisation has taken place.

The issue of decentralisation of powers mentioned by Deputy Burton is a much wider issue because it concerns local government. The question of decentralising as many public servants as possible in different locations of Ireland in accordance with the plan is under way and will be continued. I was surprised Deputy Burton suggested that the Government should abandon the programme.

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