Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

It was to go to substantial well-located towns that were not necessarily able to attract industry. That is what happened. One still reads editorials about the national spatial strategy. If one takes all the decentralisation programmes together — there were a couple of phases in the early 1990s — every hub and gateway has decentralised offices. The concept of a hub and gateway is that activity surrounds it and is not just concentrated at the centre. In spite of the contribution by Senator Finucane, there are somewhat mixed signals coming from the Fine Gael Party. I noted Deputy John Bruton's personal contribution on decentralisation in an article in the Irish Independent this morning and I cannot but wryly reflect that one of his great achievements was to bring the European Veterinary College to Grange. I do not know if all the studies he is calling for were conducted in regard to that move. I am even more concerned by the attitude from some sections of the Labour Party although I would immediately exempt Senator O'Meara from this. There has been an unfortunate tendency to try to rubbish the programme, presumably in the hope of currying favour with civil servants in Dublin who are not very keen on the idea. That applies only to some members of the party.

Civil servants do not have a right to challenge the principle of electorally mandated Government policy. Of course, they have the right to make choices and to make clear particular practical difficulties. I am glad we are having this discussion and I must thank our Progressive Democrat colleagues for that. At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service there was, as I would have interpreted it, an attempt to start a parliamentary filibuster of the decentralisation process and it was opposed. I am not opposed to regular discussion and progress reports on decentralisation.

The announcement of the decentralisation programme had an immediate impact, for example, in Tipperary town. Within a couple of months, before a building was chosen or a civil servant moved, important investments were announced and this has given a significant boost of confidence to the town. I am sure that is replicated in most of the towns around the country and will lead to an improvement in quality of life. I understand the difficulties faced by some civil servants who may have to make difficult career and personal choices. There are many situations where married couples do not work within a hundred yards of each other. People have to adapt to the situation. They may decide, however, not to adapt. I do not see this in terms of electoral stroke politics. Even if this side of the House goes out of Government at the next election, I would be very anxious to see the decentralisation programme being implemented by whatever alternative Government is in power.