John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

With modern communications all this is possible. In my town a large company, Oral B, which is part of the Gillette company, interacts daily with its people in America through video link which works perfectly well. The technology is there. We have moved immeasurably from where we were ten years ago in terms of having systems that work effectively for both oral communication and the transfer of documents.

Senator Hayes made a good point with regard to demagnetising Dublin. This is the key to decentralisation. There are huge benefits to be gained for the Civil Service, the capital and for regional development. Senator Minihan said that decentralisation could be the motor for regional development. It would bring benefits to the country as a whole. I am pleased the decentralisation programme is rolling out and I wish the Minister of State well in his future efforts. The programme is in safe hands as long as he has responsibility for the Office of Public Works.