Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

It is merely a ploy, particularly during an election campaign, to say that people are opposed to decentralisation. However, that is fine because the Government parties have nothing else to say. The Government parties know well the real issues are coming up on the doorsteps and this is the side issue it uses to save some of its embarrassment over its failures and broken promises.

Before decentralisation was so hastily announced last December, negotiations were going on with the Government with regard to St. Bridget's Hospital, Ballinasloe. That institution is being vacated quickly and rapidly as a result of a change in policy of the health board and the Department of Health and Children which aims to bring patients into the community rather than institutionalise them. However, nothing has happened concerning the building. There was a rumour, which I discussed earlier with another Minister, that it would become a prison. Almost every town which did not get an offer was to be a location for a prison. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, however, has decided to get rid of Mountjoy Prison and to build a new jail and this has meant that the proposals for prisons in other locations have died an untimely death.

When I hear the Minister of State say that we will have reviews and studies of locations and that we must have child care facilities in all the proposed areas, this is a sure sign of indecision and postponement and of avoidance of putting practical plans in place. The Minister of State has no plans, if it is he who is responsible for the move. The Minister for Finance has allocated no funding, other than small piecemeal amounts.

Carlow and Longford were mentioned as two examples of where accommodation was available.