Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

Partial decentralisation, a limited version, is going ahead. I support the call for a debate on decentralisation because in this House, some months ago, during the passage of the Garda Síochána Bill, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said he was not in favour of decentralising the Garda inspectorate to Roscrea, in north Tipperary, as promised. A high profile announcement was made to that effect. These comments were welcomed by Senator Hayes. It is obvious that decentralisation as announced is not going ahead and I would welcome a debate on the issue.