Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004

Wednesday, 18 February 2004

Ceisteanna (81)

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

149 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the decentralisation plans for his Department following the announcement in the December 2003 budget by the Minister for Finance of the relocation of certain sections of the Department to Portlaoise, Macroom, Enniscorthy and Carlow; the timescale in which he hopes the decentralisation plan for his Department will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4926/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The Government has established a central implementation committee chaired by Mr. Philip Flynn to oversee the decentralisation programme announced by the Minister for Finance in the Budget Statement in December 2003. My Department has set up an internal committee to implement the decentralisation programme in so far as my Department is concerned. This committee is liaising with the central implementation committee and all other relevant bodies such as An Bord Bia, An Bord Glas, Teagasc and the Office of Public Works on all aspects of the decentralisation programme. My Department will comply with the Government timescale for completion of the relocation and has already commenced the preparatory work.