Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:104 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the reason he failed to keep to the timetable he outlined two years ago for the decentralisation of Government Departments and offices. [12522/02]
Written Answers. - Decentralisation Programme.
Since I announced the Government's intention to proceed with a new programme of decentralisation, considerable progress has been made in the preparation of such a programme. I am determined that decisions of this significance should be taken only after proper deliberation and given the widespread interest and the need to consult with a range of interested parties, including staff interests, it has not been possible to move as quickly as would have been my intention. While I have said on a number of recent occasions that no decision in relation to this issue would be taken in the context of the forthcoming election, I am satisfied, given the work done to date, that an incoming Administration will be in a position to move quickly to take the necessary decisions.
Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 53