Government slammed for "long fingering" Cavan decentralistion

'The Cavan decentralisation programme has turned into a white elephant,' claimed Senator Joe O"Reilly this week when he hit out at the manner in which the Government halted the decentralisation project in towns such as Cavan where land had been purchased and matters were being progressed to the tender stage. Media reports over the bank holiday weekend confirmed the latest official figures, which show that plans to decentralise over 5,000 public servants - including 244 civil servants to Cavan - have been put on hold. Expressing his disappointment at the way in which Cavan decentralisation was 'being long fingered', Senator O"Reilly gave a commitment that once Fine Gael were returned to Government he would push strongly for the implementation of the decentralisation programme. 'Many people bought properties on the strength of this decentralisation and now they feel let down,' he said. According to Senator O"Reilly the decentralisation programme as proposed by the Government wasn"t thought out sufficiently and there was no proper consultation with the Civil Service unions involved. He claimed that the decentralisation programme as announced by Minister McCreevy was an election stunt. A site for the new headquarters for the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources was bought at Farnham Road, Cavan and an advance party of Departmental personnel were based in rented accommodation in the county town. Moves to proceed with the full decentralisation programme received a major setback in the October budget with the programme being put on hold due to the deteriorating financial situation. A spokesperson for the Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed to the Anglo-Celt this week that the Cavan decentralisation was one of those suspended pending review in 2011. He said that the OPW was only permitted to proceed with contracts where they were obligated to do so. In Cavan"s case there weren"t any tender documents signed and it fell within the category of decentralisation projects that are suspended for the moment. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith, has expressed his commitment and the commitment of the Government to the full decentralisation of the Department to Cavan. According to Minister Smith the current suspension of the programme is only temporary and will be implemented as planned. 'Fianna Fail in Government has a strong record of delivering decentralisation to County Cavan. Well over 200 staff of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are located in Cavan Town and have been operating there since 1990,'insisted Minister Smith.