asked the Taoiseach if he will state, with reference to the statement issued to the Government Information Bureau on the proposed transfer of certain Government Departments, or portion of Government Departments, to provincial centres, why this statement was not made to the Dáil; and if an opportunity will be provided for discussion on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transfer of Government Departments.
3.
In view of the speculation in the press on the subject of transferring certain Government Departments to provincial centres, I considered it desirable to take the earliest opportunity that presented itself to announce the Government's decision. The matter may appropriately be discussed in connection with the Departmental Estimates.
In view of the fact that the Dáil was meeting on the day on which the statement was made, surely there would have been an opportunity for the Taoiseach to make a statement on such an important matter to the Dáil rather than issue the statement in the way in which it was issued?
Is it not the plain fact that the reason the Taoiseach rushed his statement out was that the Minister for Lands broke the painter?
Let us come to realities. If I had made that statement in the Dáil I am sure the Deputy would have listened to the statement and would have asked for time later on to comment on it. I made the statement through the ordinary channel. There will be an opportunity for the Dáil, if it wishes, to debate this matter during discussion on the Estimates.
Would the Taoiseach not agree with me on this? There is an obvious difference between issuing a statement in the case of devaluation, which was made on Saturday when the Dáil was not meeting, and the day on which this other statement was made, a day on which the Dáil was meeting. The only conclusion is that the Taoiseach did not want a debate, that he is trying to avoid a debate.
I would welcome a debate and any objections the Deputy has could be made in it.
Can the Taoiseach say what staff associations have been consulted, what effect this is likely to have on recruitment and whether personal considerations have been taken into account in regard to those civil servants, many of whom were recruited on the understanding that they would not be transferred from a central appointment? Can the Taoiseach say what is their position?
I was a civil servant and I assumed on the day I contracted to accept appointment that I would have to go to any part of the country the Government would send me.
That was a moral undertaking.
Could I ask the Taoiseach to give a reply to the second part of Deputy Cosgrave's question as to whether discussions were held?
The Minister for Finance announced last week that he had discussions.
What was the result?
I take it they indicated to him that they would not like the idea of being moved but we feel it is in the national interest and we propose to go ahead with it.
Without consultation.
This is a Fianna Fáil promise.