Ahern defends decentralisation

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern firmly placed decentralisation and once-off housing at the heart of Fianna Fáil’s campaign for the upcoming local elections.

In his keynote speech to the Árd Fheis Saturday night, Mr Ahern described decentralisation as not only good for the regions but good for Government.

Defending the proposal to move 10,000 civil servants to the regions, he said it would mean a change of attitude and result in a Government that was closer to the people.