Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

The pressures on Dublin are becoming intolerable and we must do something about the lopsided growth. The point was made that we were not paying enough attention to regional distribution. We have done much more on that point. I looked at the figures for the rainbow coalition when it was in Government. Almost all the industrial investment between 1995 and 1997 went to the greater Dublin area. That was a real problem. At least with the setting up of the BMW region that has been somewhat redressed. Decentralisation is one of the best ways to continue this development. It is complementary to, and consistent with, the national spatial strategy. It is one of the best means of achieving balance. In all the towns chosen for decentralisation there is a great deal stirring in the undergrowth. People are inquiring about houses and there is an upsurge. A point was made about the project not being costed. The sites must be chosen and the cost of sites and buildings must be negotiated. How can one possibly put an accurate cost on that aspect? In the late 1980s decentralisation was adopted——