Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The OECD report does not criticise decentralisation policy or say it was a bad idea. Deputy Gilmore continually characterises decentralisation as a bad idea, despite the fact that the many people I meet who have decentralised to various parts of the country are very happy with their move. The decentralisation implementation group has always been aware of the business issues surrounding the relocation programme. With that in mind, each organisation participating in the programme is asked to prepare detailed implementation plans, including risk mitigation plans. I do not agree with the Deputy that decentralisation is not a good thing, nor do many of his backbenchers.

On the matter of agencies and their governance, there are recommendations in the report on how to proceed in that regard, namely, along the principles of partnership. This is something on which we must work. The stakeholders, as part of the implementation process, will be consulted in due course. What we are talking about now is putting a shape on how we proceed with the implementation of the various recommendations set out in the report.

The task force has met on only two occasions so far and, therefore, it cannot indicate, except in general terms, when it expects to finalise its report. It says it will be the end of the summer and there is no reason to change that timeframe. It is undertaking important work and I look forward to its report, which should provide us with the means by which we can proceed with implementation, which is the next priority now that this report has been received.

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