Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the date on which the announcement was made that the Central Fisheries Board was to be relocated to Carrick-on-Shannon; the progress made to date; the amount paid in rent for the Central Fisheries Board in the Swords offices, including additional accommodation such as the warehouse and laboratory premises; when the relocation will take place; his plans for the Central Fisheries Board premises in Glasnevin; the reason it is being vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10951/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's decentralisation programme was announced on 3 December 2003. The relocation of the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon is included in the programme. The decentralisation of the board involves relocating 62 posts to Carrick-on-Shannon. Progress to date on that front is that 20 staff have been recruited to posts relocating since the announcement of the programme and that some 20 staff have a relocation clause in their employment contract.

The other major element of the decentralisation programme relates to accommodation. While accommodation and property issues related to the decentralisation programme are matters for the Office of Public Works, I understand from the Central Fisheries Board's ongoing liaison with the OPW that a suitable accommodation solution for the board has not yet been identified in Carrick-on-Shannon.

On the Central Fisheries Board's former and current premises, I confirm that, as advised previously to the House, relocating the staff of the board from Glasnevin was due to inadequacies in the premises on health and safety grounds. No decision has been made as of yet as to the disposal of the Glasnevin premises when vacant. The rent paid by the board is a day-to-day operational matter for the board. I have no function in that regard.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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That is a disgraceful reply. I can tell the Minister what is my understanding of the cost of what is essentially another example of Government waste. Is he not aware that €500,000 is being spent on rent? That is money that has been taken from the budget he allocates and for which he is responsible. This is yet another example of a Minister saying he is not responsible and passing the buck to somebody else. The rent is payable on the offices. I understand the laboratories and storage areas that are separate cost more, perhaps up to €1 million per annum. The Minister is presiding over an example of Government waste and ineptitude, yet he says he is not responsible.

The announcement on the decentralisation of the Central Fisheries Board to Carrick-on-Shannon was made in 2002. Nothing has happened in the meantime. The Minister has not even been able to find accommodation. The difficulty is that staff do not want to move. I know this, as does the Minister but in the meantime there is an empty building in Glasnevin. The Minister did not indicate what was happening with it. It could be sold or used for something else. I have no idea. I am not the Minister but he cannot tell me how much money is being squandered on rent. That money is being taken from the budget of the regional fisheries boards which are losing approximately €100,000 per year, about which the Minister says he does not know. He should. What will he do to deal with an example of Government waste and ineptitude for which he is responsible and from which he cannot walk away?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I did not say I did not know. I said it was up to management of the Central Fisheries Board to arrange rental arrangements. I presume the Deputy is not suggesting we should insist on people staying in premises in respect of which there are health and safety issues.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The Minister is learning fast from Fianna Fáil.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I am just answering a simple question.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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That answer is garbage.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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If the Deputy is suggesting it should not rent premises in the interim——

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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I am saying the Minister should do his job.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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——I disagree.

On the decentralisation programme, the Deputy is right. There are delays and have been difficulties regarding State and other agencies, including FÁS and particularly those with a large number of technical staff. The programme has not progressed in the manner originally expected but that is not my job or something I can amend. The Office of Public Works is responsible for the purchase of properties under any decentralisation programme. It is not up to me to be in Carrick-on-Shannon to negotiate property transactions or look for suitable sites. That is best left to the expert on a joined-up government basis — the OPW.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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With respect, I remind the Minister of his duties. He allocates the budgets which are being reduced specifically to pay rent while property lies idle and the fanciful decentralisation programme is still being adhered to in theory but not in practice. What he has just said is interesting. I asked him the amount being spent and he told me the matter was the responsibility of the Central Fisheries Board. When I challenged him on this, he said he knew the answer but would not tell me. I tabled a question. I did not ask who was responsible; I sought a pounds, shillings and pence answer but the Minister did not give it to me. As he said he knew the answer, let us hear it from him. How much has been paid in rent since the Central Fisheries Board moved into the premises? What is the total amount? Before the Minister replies, we should remember that this is money that could have been spent by the regional boards but was not.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The time for this question has expired.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I will come back to the Deputy with further details.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I would have thought it would have taken two seconds to give the answer to that question.