Decentralisation will lead to parallel Civil Service, says Rabbitte

A "parallel Civil Service" will be created through the Government's proposed decentralisation programme with parallel costs, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte claimed in the Dáil.

"We will end up with a Civil Service similar to the Legal Aid board, which has two head offices, one in Cahirciveen and one in Mount Street, with all of the costs involved in personnel flying by Aer Arann to this city two or three times a week," Mr Rabbitte said.

In the continuing dispute over levels of interest by public and civil servants in decentralisation, Mr Rabbitte disputed the Government's claim that the programme was voluntary.

"What is the point in saying to people that such a transfer is voluntary when they are presented with Hobson's choice to either relocate or not be considered for promotion or to relocate because if they stay here they will have nothing to do," he asked.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern insisted, however, that decentralisation was a voluntary programme. "From the outset, guarantees have been given by the Government that all employees not wishing to transfer out of Dublin will be facilitated with an alternative post in Dublin, if the situation arises," he said.

"I readily admit there has been no appetite within the State agencies to move out of Dublin." But he added that the reason for the programme was to achieve balanced regional development.

"This city cannot continue to take the densities being forced on it," the Taoiseach said. "People must commute great distances to this city day in and day out. It would be far better if we were to relocate people to offices in the regions where they could successfully provide services to the public."

Mr Rabbitte said he could not understand how the Taoiseach could say this "while the Government ignores its own national spatial strategy". He called for an all-party review of the decentralisation programme.