Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Decentralisation was the Minister's development policy. We know as a result of the announcement a few days ago by the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, there are 29 centres throughout the country that are disappointed. The Minister of State said that since June 2004 we have had a major development initiative on the line. I welcome the fact that Loughrea is included in the list. How can we be assured those 40 jobs will be delivered within the timeframe announced? Other jobs have been promised but it is only the Department jobs that have been mentioned.

There are three elements of the overall plan that indicate the Government and the Minister of State, in particular, have failed. The decentralisation programme was announced last December without any consultation and that is one of the rocks on which he is perishing. Prior to the announcement there was no consultation. The consultation that has taken place in the meantime clearly indicates it was a matter of asking people if they would go and only one person has indicated an interest in Loughrea. How can the Minister of State continue to pursue an active policy of decentralisation when only one person has indicated an interest? We have been told time and again this evening and also by the Taoiseach that it will not be forced.

The Minister of State's colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, on numerous occasions during her visit to Ballinasloe when three major factories were lost, gave an indication that she had prioritised Ballinasloe as a jobs blackspot and that she would deliver jobs. On two occasions since then, the Government has turned its back on Ballinasloe in regard to the spatial strategy. Senator O'Rourke said there is a triangle of development between Mullingar, Tullamore and Athlone, yet 14 miles down the road Ballinasloe was left outside the loop that would be appropriate for development. Tonight Ballinasloe has again been omitted. If the Government had decided it was to prioritise any particular area for development and inward investment and was serious about any of those issues, it would have said Ballinasloe was one of those areas that has to be developed.