Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I am sure other Senators will be familiar with the phenomenon where a person is happy to take a position in Nenagh but when promotion comes up, they must move to Portlaoise, Limerick or commute to Dublin. How will this work in practice because I am not sure it has been thought through? It reflects the highly politicised nature of the programme. It certainly looks likes jobs for the boys and girls, when viewed in the context of the abolition of the Local Appointments Commission. If 200 jobs are made available in Thurles, for example, and the appointments are to be made by the Minister, the obvious public concern is that it will be highly political.

Nobody will have a problem with the principle of decentralisation. However, its operation, the reasons behind it and the manner in which it will work cause concern.