Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

Yesterday's announcement shows that the decentralisation programme is in disarray. Will the Leader allow a debate on this issue, which is of importance to so many parts of the country? We should not wait for reports from the decentralisation implementation group. It is important that people working in the public service and Civil Service learn what is to happen with regard to decentralisation.

I am not often critical but I am disappointed that we did not have tributes to a serving Member of the Oireachtas first today, followed by a break. This is the least respect we could have shown.