Ministers back off decentralisation

THE Government's ambitious plan to decentralise more than 10,000 civil servants within three years yesterday looked in danger of unravelling last night.

In a significant development, three ministers separately expressed doubt that the deadline would be met, in a clear signal that the Cabinet will substantially modify its proposals to relocate civil servants to 53 locations within the lifetime of the Government.

Transport Minister Seamus Brennan admitted yesterday there is no deadline.