The Government's decentralisation proposals have been attacked by the former head of the University of Limerick, Dr Edward Walsh. He warned yesterday that the proposals "threaten Ireland's future well-being by fragmenting policy-making at the heart of government". Michael O'Regan, Parliamentary Reporter, reports.
Dr Walsh said a good proposal had been launched without a plan. "There has been no statement made public which shows that this proposal will make Ireland a better place or governance more effective."
He added that he welcomed the fact that the Government was placing the regional imbalance in Ireland in a very central position, "but I am concerned that what is proposed will not create a counter-poll to Dublin. The proposal to fragment central government into nine components threatens the future well-being of governance in this country.
"I am sure that the proposal was launched with good intentions, but the very title provokes confusion because the word 'decentralisation' is incorrectly used. This is a plan for the relocation of 10,000 public servants. It is an important initiative and to be welcomed, but it is not decentralisation. Those who work internationally are absolutely astonished at its use."
Dr Walsh told the Oireachtas Committee on Finance that decentralisation meant the "transfer of responsibility to democratically elected lower levels of government". He said the proposal was good in principle, "but it depends on what public servants you intend to relocate.
"Those public servants who are concerned with regulatory work, with back office work and so on, need not be in Dublin, but those public servants and the Minister concerned with forming strategy and policy for our country need to be together in a compact, coherent group. Agile government in the knowledge age is vital."
Mr Hendrik van der Kamp of the Dublin Institute of Technology said one interesting aspect of the decentralisation plans was the potential for the clustering of functions in different settlements.
He added that it was clear that there was an attempt to bring departments to locations where there was a potential synergy either with the existing function of the town or with the existence of Government agencies.
Prof Michael J. Bannon of UCD said there had been no attempt to understand the "work factor" in the exercise. "Nobody is going to suggest tomorrow that an organisation like Intel should break up into 15, 20 or 30 different units."
The chief executive of Laois Chamber of Commerce, Ms Margaret Ryan, said decentralisation sat well with the National Spatial Strategy and the National Development Plan in that it supported the balanced development of the regions.
The vice-chairman of Westmeath County Council, Mr Dan McCarthy, said disappointment had replaced excitement about the proposals. "I would be dishonest if I did not reflect the huge disappointment, bordering on being let down, in respect of this very important issue."
The committee also heard from representatives of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Today it will hear from trade unions.