Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004

Wednesday, 2 June 2004

Questions (165, 166)

John Bruton

Question:

158 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has had a risk assessment carried out on possible consequential risks to the effectiveness of services provided by each Department or agency under his aegis which is to relocate under the Government’s decentralisation programme; if not, the reason therefor; and if so, if the risk assessment will be published, furnished to the Comptroller and Auditor General and accessible under the Freedom of Information Act 1997. [16848/04]

John Bruton

Question:

161 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will take steps to ensure that the annual report of his Department will contain a risk assessment of decentralisation, as it affects his Department or agencies under its aegis, dealing with strategic, operational, financial and reputational risks as set out in paragraph 6.31 of the Mullarkey report. [16893/04]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 161 together.

My Department is finalising its initial decentralisation implementation plan, which will be submitted to the implementation group shortly. The plan will include an initial assessment of the risks and risk mitigation strategies. Progress on implementation of the plan, including risk mitigation, will be reported on in the Department's annual report for 2004. Similar implementation plans are being drawn up by an Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Central Fisheries Board and Sustainable Energy Ireland, the bodies under the aegis of the Department which are part of the decentralisation programme.

My Department's initial implementation plan will be circulated to all staff, the partnership committee and unions and published, and placed on our website after it has been submitted to the decentralisation implementation group. It will be updated as required.