Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

It is with great anger that I again raise this issue on the Adjournment. I have raised it on numerous occasions in the past. As the Minister of State is aware, four years ago the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, announced that 10,000 jobs would be decentralised to areas which had not already benefited from decentralisation. The town in which I live in County Roscommon made submissions in respect of this programme. However, four years have passed and nothing has happened. I raised this matter on the Adjournment six months ago and a special debate on decentralisation has also taken place. Why has a decision not been made?

I appreciate that it has been necessary to spend time consulting widely with staff interests and management. However, in order to create a more even spread of public service jobs and to save some smaller rural areas from oblivion, it is time to make a decision in respect of decentralisation. Two months ago, the Taoiseach stated that an announcement would be made before Christmas. The people of County Roscommon and other rural areas are dissatisfied with false promises and false dawns. I hope the Minister of State will indicate that favourable decisions will be made in respect of areas such as that which I represent.