Madam, - Your Editorial "The rethink on decentralisation" (May 16th) accurately identifies some of the key issues in the decentralisation debate which I have been pressing with the Taoiseach in the Dáil.
The Labour Party favours a negotiated decentralisation programme which would (a) enhance the efficiency of the public service; (b) bring Government closer to the regions; and (c) contribute to a rational spatial strategy that promotes balanced regional development. All of these have been achieved in other countries. None is possible, or even considered, in the McCreevy plan as published.
Labour in Government will pursue decentralisation, subject to a number of conditions. We will not damage the efficiency of Government itself by transferring the policy-making functions of Government Departments. The Aireacht must remain in the capital. We will not break up and damage specialist agencies by transferring the agency and leaving specialist staff behind in Dublin with no work to do. We will not abandon the principle of promotion on merit to further a flawed political agenda.
Labour will not damage the corporate memory of Government Departments and sections therein to adhere to an ill-conceived timetable. Nor will we put the Irish economy, and who knows how much in taxpayer's money at risk, by undermining the capacity of the public service to deliver programmes and projects in an efficient and cost-effective manner. We need to end the waste of public monies, not sow the seeds for more.
Labour in Government will review the decentralisation scheme. Where there is sufficient interest in a particular relocation, then it should proceed without delay. It is feasible and desirable to implement a substantial and voluntary programme of decentralisation in the context of a longer timetable.
We will remove the threat of forced relocation from civil servants whose lives have been put on hold by the present plan. We will be honest with civil servants who want to move, and with the receiving towns about what constitutes realistic timetables.
It is not too late for the Taoiseach to adopt a similar approach. - Yours, etc,
PAT RABBITTE TD, Leader of the Labour Party, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.