Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the National Consumer Agency that it could lose up to 90% of its staff as a result of its proposed decentralisation to Cork; the steps being taken to ensure that decentralisation will not interfere with the effectiveness of the agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23969/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully aware of the concerns expressed by the Chief Executive of the National Consumer Agency in relation to the logistical challenges arising from the Agency's relocation to Cork. The proposed location of the Agency in Cork is as part of the overall decentralisation programme, which provides that staff of public bodies, such as the National Consumer Agency, transfer to decentralised locations on a voluntary basis.

My Department is working very closely with the Agency to devise a staff transition plan with a view to a phased and managed transition of the Agency's staff between now and the relocation of the Agency to Cork in 2009. The plan is intended to ensure that the location of the Agency to Cork will be successfully achieved without any undue interference with the effectiveness or the ongoing work of the Agency. I am confident that the close co-operation between my Department and the Agency will help to ensure that the relocation process will be successful.