Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I pleaded with the Minister of State during the previous debate in this House to admit that the decentralisation programme could not be done in three years. I contended that the timescale, which was unattainable, represented the worst aspect of the scheme and would bring the project into disrepute. This afforded an opportunity for the Government to admit the programme could not be implemented in three years but that it would put its best foot forward and see what could be achieved. I congratulate Mr. Phil Flynn on the work he has done. He and his colleagues have considered the matter carefully and offered a strategy for success. I welcome his proposal, although it does not do enough. I would like to see more of the same.

We are not looking at this in the same way as the Minister of State may have done in his previous life. It is a question of urban-rural balance. On a philosophical level, I completely support the idea of decentralisation and endorse the notion of more Civil Service and public service jobs around the country. Moreover, I do not have a difficulty with people moving from Clonmel to Killorglin, for example. This creates new jobs in a particular location and the more flexibility that is built into the system the better. However, it is also fair for Senator John Paul Phelan to say that such moves do not constitute decentralisation. Semantically, it is provincialism rather than decentralisation but there is nothing wrong with that. I welcome such movements as a positive change.

The situation is akin to that of electronic voting. It is a great idea that has been destroyed because people have lost confidence in it. I agree with Senator Mansergh that the announcement of decentralisation to a town or area brought a great burst of optimism, encouragement, enthusiasm and confidence, and drew additional employment and investment possibilities into the localities. However, we must consider all those towns that were not on the list last week. They have gone up the hill and down again. This is unfair and should not have happened.