Decentralisation - Government must move on proposals

This time two years ago Martin Cullen, then Minister of State in charge of the Office of Public Works, was promising that the next stage of the Government’s decentralisation plan would be published within a few weeks. But two years on the Government is still procrastinating.

A total of 132 towns have applied for the transfer of government departments and agencies. It was widely believed that the promised decision was postponed two years ago because there was much more to be lost than gained from the political standpoint.

If the Government announces the package, more than 100 towns would be disappointed. The decision was therefore delayed because of the impending general election.