James Bannon (Fine Gael)

That urgency is still with us. Decentralisation is important for this country, both from urban and rural perspectives. I support it and want to see it implemented in an open and transparent manner. This motion calls for the Minister to submit a report to this House on the plan's progress and its future implications. We heard Senator Minihan's comments on Cork. I fear that reports in this case are another stalling action which will preclude action, rather than be an open statement of the Government's plans for decentralisation in all its aspects. This country is primed for decentralisation. Communication systems are in place to link offices and businesses effectively, and the need to alleviate pressure on Dublin housing and traffic gridlock is undisputed. However, decentralisation that is not open to public scrutiny in all its aspects is not the way forward. Decentralisation makes sense but it is vitally important that its inception is no longer used as another political promise and that it is fully implemented without further delay. I hope the Minister is prepared to end the cloud of uncertainty that hangs over it and allow his plans to be opened to public scrutiny. This is very important coming from the Progressive Democrats and where they stand on the issue. They have recently been obscured by their immersion in Fianna Fáil and its policies.