Two Bord Iascaigh employees express decentralisation interest

JUST two employees at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) have expressed an interest in moving to the new €20m office complex in Clonakilty under the government’s decentralisation plan.

The premises in Clonakilty are due for completion in 2009 but there have been no applications to move south through the BIM’s formal application process. The agency, which is responsible for developing the Irish sea-fishing and aquaculture industries, plans to locate 90 staff and establish a centre in the town to facilitate the development and marketing of innovative seafood products.

BIM’s facilities will be co-located with the new National Marine Headquarters, which will accommodate 210 civil and public servants when fully operational. Trade union SIPTU yesterday said the decentralisation process was flawed, adding that workers would not be forced to move.

Branch organiser, Jane Boushell said: “Employees in BIM have absolutely no desire to relocate to Clonakilty.

Our members have pointed out that BIM is already highly decentralised, with a presence in Donegal, Galway, Cork, Waterford and Wexford.

“As recently as last week the Taoiseach admitted that few state agency employees wanted to move out of Dublin, because — unlike civil servants — there has never been an agreement on the transfer of staff between agencies. “Therefore, instead of wasting an estimated €20m of taxpayers’ money on an office complex which nobody needs, the Government would do better to turn its attention to addressing the horrendous situation which exists in our health services,” she said.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara last night confirmed that there had only been two expressions of interest in moving to Clonakilty since the formal applications process was opened several years ago.