Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the work of the Decentralisation Implementation Group; when they last met with his Minister of State; when they last reported on their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24948/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Decentralisation Implementation Group last published a report to government in June 2005.

I met with the Chair of the Implementation Group recently to receive an update in relation to the progress being made in the implementation of the programme, the issues arising in the implementation of the programme, and to restate the Government's commitment to the implementation of the programme in full.

The Chairman provided me with an update on the outcome of the meetings the Group held earlier this year with Secretaries General of decentralising Government Departments. He has assured me that the Group is satisfied with the level of planning in each of the Departments, and is confident that the senior civil service are leading the implementation of this programme in a professional and carefully planned manner.

The Group is currently meeting with the Chief Executives of a number of State Agencies to discuss the planning framework in place, to assess progress to date and to hear about the challenges arising and steps proposed to address them.

My colleague, the Minister of State, has not met with the Group.