Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

As a result of these cutbacks, not only will there be no fanfare, but the Equality Authority will have very little ability to pursue its core objectives. The Minister has succeeded in decimating the authority. He did not respond to Deputy Rabbitte's query about why the decentralisation of the authority to Roscrea is being fast-tracked at a time when relocation and decentralisation are being halted all over the place. How can the move to Roscrea be described as an integration of corporate services with the Irish Human Rights Commission? It is a disintegration. How can it be argued that shifting the authority 80 miles down the road will lead to the integration of its services with those of the commission, the offices of which are to be retained in Dublin? How can this be? What is the saving that will result from the move?

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