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Latest Developments on Decentralisation

Statement from Dublin Regional Executive on Decentralisation

The Dublin Regional Executive Committee received an update on the current position in relation to Decentralisation from SIPTU's Regional Secretary, Patricia King.

The committee was updated on the the latest developments in relation to FAS Head Office including information on the ongoing ballot, the member’s determination to remain in Dublin and the attitude of senior management in relation to linking promotion with acceptance of transfer to Birr, Co. Offaly.

The meeting reflected on the contradiction between the current FAS senior management position and former Minister for Finance, Charles McCreevy’s original statement saying decentralisation would be voluntary for staff members.

The meeting further reflected on the motion passed in relation to Decentralisation at the Union's supreme decision making forum - the Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork in October 2005 - noting in particular, that the plan was considered flawed, illogical, and ill conceived by staff members in the State and Related Agencies, FAS, and Bus Eireann Branches.

The Regional Executive strongly endorsed the decision of the FAS and Bord Iascaigh Mhara members in Dun Laoghaire and those in the State Related Agencies Branch, in relation to their ongoing commitment to the issue of decentralisation and deplored the whole issue as a political stroke thought up to shore up the political fortunes of certain political parties.

The REC commended the work being done on the issue, by the respective Branch Organisers, Assistant Organisers, Branch and Section Committees, National Industrial Secretaries, Regional Secretaries, and the relevant National Officers.

The wholehearted view of the Dublin Region REC is that the Decentralisation issue as it affects State Agencies and Semi State bodies should be abandoned, and the staff concerned should be allowed to get on with their day to day work free from the dark pall which has been hanging over them since this ill conceived scheme was first announced by Charlie McCreevy.

If this is not done, the Dublin Region feels that it has no option but to mobilise a very strong campaign of opposition among its 78,000 members, families and friends of voting age in the run up to and during the coming general election.



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