Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Previously, I raised with the Taoiseach the legislative implications of the announcement to amalgamate certain State agencies made in last October's budget by the Minister for Finance. Among these is the Equality Authority. The legislation has not been published but in the meantime the budget of the Equality Authority has been cut and it is proposed to decentralise the authority. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government told his party conference that he had secured the reversal of these decisions. Yesterday, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform told the House that there was no reversal and that the decentralisation would increase from 16 to 23 in the time ahead. Will we see legislation on this matter? Is the reason for the continued absence from the House of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that he is licking his wounds following the statement yesterday by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform?

I also wish to discuss a circular issued last week by the Department of Finance to all Departments in connection with the embargo on recruitment in the public services. The circular is very belt and braces and states that no recruitment of any kind may be pursued by Departments or agencies. I understand this includes a complete embargo on the renewal of fixed-term contracts.

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