Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, with regard to decentralisation proposals that are relevant to her Department, she is satisfied that sufficient numbers of staff at secretary and assistant secretary level are currently willing to decentralise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5032/06]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the Secretary General of her Department has consulted with officers at assistant secretary level regarding decentralisation; the number who have expressed an interest in decentralising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5047/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 467 together.

In 2004, the Department of Finance requested each Secretary General and head of office to discuss the question of decentralisation with his or her senior officers at assistant secretary level. Since then, vacancies at this level in my Department have been being filled by the top level appointments committee on the basis that the successful candidate will decentralise at the appropriate time. I do not consider it appropriate to indicate the individual preferences of officers at this level in this Department but I am confident that there will be a sufficient cadre of people to provide continuity of leadership and management experience as the decentralisation programme proceeds.