Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

This programme was introduced by one of the Minister's predecessors in 2003. It was nothing more than a budget gimmick that was rushed in, with a lack of planning. Various OECD reports show there has been no planning. The Minister is the person responsible.

Does he accept the decision was rushed and was a budget gimmick? Does he accept he is the Minister responsible? Does he accept that, to date, only 120 posts have been decentralised so far this year? Less than 20% of all posts overall have been decentralised. The programme was supposed to have been finalised by the end of 2006 and nearly two years later it is still unfinished. Will the Minister bring an all-party approach to bear so a proper structure can be put to the decentralisation programme?

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