asked the Minister for the Public Service when it is intended to proceed with the establishment of an office of the Revenue Commissioners in Nenagh, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revenue Commissioners Office for Nenagh
6.
asked the Minister for the Public Service the commencement date of the building of the Revenue Commissioners offices in Nenagh, County Tipperary.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
The programme of decentralisation of Government offices, in which Nenagh figures as a designated centre, was announced by the then Government in October 1980 and rapid progress was made on site acquisition, planning and design between then and June 1981. On assuming office the last Government placed the programme under review and, effectively, the programme has been dormant since then. Since the present Government assumed office plans are already being drawn up to get the programme under way again as soon as possible. A report on the progress of the programme will be made in the very near future.
Has the Minister initiated discussions with the staff concerned on decentralisation because I am sure he is aware that many people have misgivings about having to leave a permanent residence in Dublin, as happened when staff were moved to Castlebar? Can the Minister say if money has been included in the current budget in the Office of Public Works for the building of the Revenue Commissioners' office in Nenagh? This is a matter of grave concern to the area because of the impending closure of Mogul mines and I would ask the Minister to give this matter his urgent attention.
I am glad the Deputy's interest in the decentralisation programme has grown and changed since his attitude of December last when we wanted him to support us in pushing that same programme. I have greater confidence in Nenagh and its attractiveness than Deputy Ryan appears to have. Discussions and consultations will be held with the staff concerned and I am sure every Deputy could tell us about the number of representations received by them for transfers back to their home areas. I am sure that is as true of Nenagh as of anywhere else. The Deputy will be pleased to hear that in a few weeks I will be making certain announcements on the whole programme which will be about resuming the progress that has been retarded for a period of almost nine months.
Is the Minister saying he has money to commence building the offices in 1982? He is going to make some announcement in a couple of weeks. Does that infer he has £x to commence building in Nenagh?
I did not say that in reference to Nenagh. I am sure the people of Nenagh will be interested to hear of the Deputy's attitude. He and Deputy Molony, on 1 December 1981 trooped in to the Division Lobbies behind the then Government and voted against a motion proposed by Deputy O'Malley and supported by my party in which we asked that Dáil Éireann condemn the decision of the then Government not to proceed as rapidly as possible with the programme of decentralisation. Those invaluable nine months are lost to Nenagh and the other locations concerned. Money is available to proceed with the decentralisation programme.
We discovered last year that when Deputy Fitzgerald had been Minister for Finance the previous year he did not include a provision in the budget of that year for this work. He is now talking in terms of plans——
This is not an issue for debate. Would the Deputy ask a supplementary question?
I will repeat my question. The Minister's last answer was very evasive. He said money would be provided. Is money available this year to proceed with the building of the new Revenue Commissioners' offices in Nenagh? That is all I want to find out, yes or no. We do not want any ministerial statements. All I want to know is if there will be realistic development in this matter this year?
I am glad to see that the interest of the Deputy in Tipperary has been aroused at last. His question was——
He got a very extensive reply.
It was a very extensive nine months when Deputy Quinn was out of this House.
I am far more aware of that than the Minister.
It was an extensive nine months during which the last Government dragged their feet. Perhaps if Deputy Quinn had been here he might have encouraged them to go ahead with that very comprehensive programme. I have told Deputy Ryan what the position is, and the tragedy of the delay.
I should like to hear the answer to the supplementary which Deputy Ryan asked. I am asking the Minister whether in view of the very serious problems being created and that will be created in north Tipperary because of the imminent closure of Mogul mines, whatever the attitude of his Government on the question of decentralisation, will he make money available immediately to proceed with the building of the Revenue Commissioners' offices in Nenagh? The site is there, everything is ready to go ahead and all that is needed is word from the Minister. Is the Minister aware that his colleague, Deputy O'Kennedy, gave a commitment that if Fianna Fáil were returned to office they would proceed immediately with the building of these offices?
I do not disagree with the Deputy. A site is available and plans have been prepared, thanks to my term in office. Unfortunately they were put in cold storage for nine months. I do not blame the Deputy for being embarrassed. Indeed, I am surprised he is not hanging his head in shame, having walked into this Chamber in December last——
Would the Minister please treat the House with a little courtesy and reply to the question?
Will the Deputy please resume his seat? I am calling Deputy Barry Desmond.
On a point of order, would you please request the Minister to reply to the question? What is the point of me coming in here to ask questions if the Minister refuses to reply?
The Ceann Comhairle is not responsible for Ministers' replies. If the Deputy does not find the Minister's replies satisfactory he can proceed in another way.
What other way have I got? Can you please tell me what other means are open to me? I have asked a very simple question.
On a point of order, Deputy Molony was not in the House when I gave my original reply to the question.
I have asked a simple question but the Minister refuses to give me a reply. What other means are open to me to get a reply?
The Deputy will learn of the other means if he reads Standing Orders.
In all the furore, my very important question has been forgotten. Is there a sum of money allocated in the budget this year to the Office of Public Works to begin the physical development of the offices in Nenagh? That is the only answer I want.
I will allow Deputy Barry Desmond to ask a final supplementary.
I will repeat the answer. Money is available to go ahead with the decentralisation programme that was mothballed for nine months. That is the position.
That is not the issue——
I am surprised at Deputy Ryan. Will he please resume his seat and allow Deputy Desmond to proceed? I am not responsible for Ministers' replies.
You are very lucky.
Can we be told the cost of the transference of these offices to Nenagh, plus the cost of services and of disturbance allowances to the staff concerned?
I have not got that information but if the Deputy puts down a separate question he is entitled to get the information.