FG, unions seek clarity on decentralisation

Unions and opposition parties have called on the Government to clarify its position on decentralisation following yesterday's Labour Court ruling that Fás could not link staff promotions to the willingness to move location.

In its judgement, the Labour Court said that staff applying for promotions at the State training and employment agency had the right to be judged on suitability and merit alone.

The ruling, which is likely to have major implications for employees of semi-State agencies, is major setback for the Government's decentralisation plans.

The Department of Finance is understood to be examining the court's ruling but officials could not confirm whether a statement on the judgement would be made.

Fine Gael finance spokesman Richard Bruton said the policy appears unsustainable and it is time for the Government to remove the uncertainty and clarify what elements of the programme can and cannot be implemented.

Mr Bruton said: "Fianna Fáil ministers have been ducking responsibility for the delivery of decentralisation, and it is no longer acceptable for the Government to hide behind the so-called implementation group."

Siptu's branch organiser in Fás Greg Ennis called on the Government to accept its policy of compulsory decentralisation of non-commercial semi-State agencies had failed.

Mr Ennis said: "It is neither realistic, nor reasonable to expect people, many of whom have 20 years or more service and family commitments, to move when there is no requirement for them to do so in order to carry out their jobs effectively."

Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin described the Government's handling of decentralisation as "a debacle"

Mr Ó Caoláin said: "From the beginning the Government claimed that its decentralisation programme was voluntary."

"But it quickly became clear that some State agencies were linking promotion prospects for staff to their willingness to relocate.

"Despite all the warnings that it was unjust, and would be untenable, to force staff to move by making their promotion prospects dependent on locating outside Dublin, the Government allowed FÁS to press ahead."