Decentralisation plan - New approach to programme is vital

IT is no exaggeration to say the Coalition’s policy on decentralisation, aimed at moving 10,000 civil servants across the country within three years, is a shambles.

Essentially, decentralisation would be good for Ireland, provided it were properly handled. But to date, neither Government nor opposition parties have come up with a system guaranteed to keep the country running smoothly from a spider’s web of regional offices.

With the Government under pressure, the three-year deadline set by outgoing Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy no longer looks attainable.