Moving argument for decentralisation

I WISH to take issue with your report under the headline ‘FÁS workers are adamant they will not leave Dublin under any circumstances (Irish Examiner, May 12).

Having heard in its entirety the radio programme on which the report was based, I was very surprised to read such a one-sided account of it in your newspaper.

While what was reported was factually correct, you made no reference to the callers who voiced their support of the FÁS move to Birr and decentralisation in general.

You referred to one FÁS worker who remarked that “we’ve nothing against Birr or Birr people, but you ask 400 people from Birr to move to Dublin.”

The point I wish to make is that people from Birr and provincial towns like it all over Ireland who work in the public service are being forced to do this very thing on a daily basis.

Many of them must leave their homes at the crack of dawn and do not return until after dark.

Now, for the first time, many of them are being given the opportunity through decentralisation to live and work in the regions. I think it is time we focused on these people (more than 10,000) for a change and the unbelievable difference decentralisation is going to make to their quality of life rather than constantly giving the impression that the Government is doing the country some terrible injustice.

I hope to read both sides of the story next time.

Patrick Barry

The Clinic Bar

Main Street

Bantry

Co Cork