Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

The one message coming from Senator Bannon's contribution is that he and his party, Fine Gael, which opposed decentralisation for so long, now accept it is required for balanced regional development and the development of rural Ireland, and to promote life outside Dublin. However, as a result of this, Fine Gael will force people out. It is a serious move. It was worthwhile having this debate to discover this point.

I am delighted the decentralisation programme is progressing so well.