Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to try to arrange a further debate on decentralisation. The budget, in five or six weeks time, will mark the second anniversary of the Government's announcement of decentralisation to 50 or 60 towns across the country. Unfortunately, the debate has moved from doubt to ridicule. The problem is people do not believe that the decentralisation project is going ahead.

It is important that we get the Minister for Finance or the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Parlon, to the House to explain and debate the direction the decentralisation programme is taking. We are all mature enough to accept that what was originally promised will not be delivered. We have a hub and national spatial strategy. If we put all our strategies together, we could ensure that decentralisation is practised as well as preached. It is ridiculous that two years after its announcement no progress has been made. We need a debate on the issue now.