Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

People were fearful as regards the 2009 budget because of the deep concern over the finances of the State, mainly due to international circumstances, which have affected its coffers and income. The Minister for Finance and the Cabinet have put together a comprehensive package. Where possible, they have protected the vulnerable and continued investment in countrywide infrastructure. The Government has also given tremendous example in the decision to reduce by 10% the income of those in ministerial positions. It is not adopting the Kenny, but rather the Lenihan tax, and we are adopting the 1% and 2%, as appropriate, in this official budget. We do not believe in solo runs for publicity purposes, as exercised at the weekend, and which I note has not been followed by 99% of the parliamentary party of Fine Gael, and certainly not by the Labour Party.

I was particularly glad to note that the decentralisation of the Property Registration Authority of Ireland to Roscommon town will continue as planned. I have repeatedly emphasised the benefits of moving State agencies to various regions throughout the country. These benefits take the form of bringing Government investment to rural areas and giving civil servants the opportunity to return to work in their home towns. This applies only to those agencies which do not, in this age of technology, need to be in a centralised location. The Property Registration Authority of Ireland, formerly the Land Registry, is a fine example. While some moves inevitably will need to be postponed in the current economic conditions, it is important that the momentum of decentralisation is maintained and this budget demonstrates the Government's commitment to the plan.

I made this case to the Minister of State at our think-in in Galway and I am delighted that Roscommon has been retained and that the building will proceed, with 174 extra jobs being provided in the town. We shall try to provide accommodation from the number of houses now available in the town at a very keen price. Some 84 staff have already located there. I was delighted the Minister of State was appointed to his portfolio because of his tremendous experience in public life. He knows how to manage that portfolio and I am delighted he is going ahead with so many of the decentralisation schemes. It was never Fine Gael policy to decentralise.