asked the Minister for Finance if, further to the statement issued by the Government Information Bureau on 16th November, 1967, that it had been decided that the headquarters work of the Department of Education would be transferred to Athlone and that of the Department of Lands to Castlebar, he will make a statement about this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Decentralisation of Departments.
88.
The position remains as stated in replies to Questions on this subject on 27th November, 1969, and 11th June, 1970.
Surely the Minister remembers the various hosannas of approval of November, 1967, issued by the Taoiseach in which he indicated the very important national considerations being taken into account in this famous move to Athlone and Castlebar where he spoke of the widespread advantages of decentralisation, and so on. Surely the Minister will not now blandly inform the House that the whole thing was no more than a gimmick. Does the Minister wish to cause serious upset and concern to the very large number of public servants involved in the Government machinations as well as to many non-Government workers in relation to this matter? This is not to say that I approve of what the Government said in 1967. It appals me that the Government should now try to get away from it.
I have said nothing remotely resembling what the Deputy said.
The Minister for Transport and Power promised, prior to the general election last year, that this would be done immediately. Is this to be held up as an election carrot like the drainage of the Shannon—to be promised at every election in the west?
Work is on the way at the moment.
What work? What progress has been made inside the last three years or even within a year of the last reply on the matter in this House?
The progress in general has been on the basis of acquisition of land and considerable advancement in planning.
The acquisition of land took place two years ago and there has been no progress since then.
That is not true.
It is.
Is it the intention of the Minister to adhere to the decision of November, 1967—yes or no?
There has been no change whatsoever in the Government decision in this matter.