Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I welcome the debate on the Garda Síochána Bill and the Leader's initiative to give more time to party spokespersons. I am sure the Leader will join me in encouraging all Members to contribute to the debate on this extensive piece of legislation which will have profound implications for the force in the years to come.

Does the Leader agree that the comments made by the Minister for Finance at Leopardstown, in which he suggested that if decentralisation is not delivered on time it would spell electoral disaster for Fianna Fáil, is one of the worst examples of political cynicism the country has seen in a generation? We were told that decentralisation was about the spatial strategy and bringing real power to the regions. However, the Minister for Finance has now stated that decentralisation is just about the next election. I ask the Leader to bring the Minister to the House to make a statement on the issue. We are talking about real people in real jobs in Dublin who have been told they and their families can go to hell or to Connacht. We need an early statement from the Government on this issue.