Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Finance if a site has been bought in County Mayo for the purpose of decentralisation of his Department, in particular for the site in Charlestown and the site at Knock Airport; if either of those sites were actually purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5839/10]

Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's Decentralisation Programme it was originally intended to relocate the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Knock, Co. Mayo and, accordingly, a site was purchased at Knock Airport. When planning permission was refused for the proposed development at Knock Airport, the Government decided that Charlestown should be the new location for the Department. The Commissioners of Public Works identified a suitable site in Charlestown and terms were agreed. The purchase was not completed because the Government decided to defer a final decision on the decentralisation of the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to Mayo until 2011.