Decentralisation plans - It’s the election, stupid

THERE is no denying the raw political motivation behind Government plans to move more than 10,000 civil and public servants from Dublin to other parts of Ireland.

With cities and towns hungry to cash in on the programme, the Coalition is intent on making political capital in the run-up to the forthcoming local elections.

Amid growing fears that sweeping changes will be rammed through for electoral purposes, the policy is encountering stern resistance from unions which see it as unplanned and ill-timed.