Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I too welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, and I welcome the decision and the commitment of the Government in going ahead with the decentralisation programme. I am sure that many fine applications have been received and assessed by the Department of Finance, and that the towns selected will play their roles in balanced regional development.

I support the application by Newcastle West, Listowel and Kilrush as an integrated application. The necessary infrastructure is in place in those locations. I agree with the Minister of State that State offices in the towns selected should be flagship buildings, and I have no doubt that with the involvement of the Office of Public Works, there will be flexibility in the design and location of those buildings in the towns, and that the quality of life of the 10,000 civil servants relocating will improve enormously.