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.