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Latest Developments on Decentralisation

No Discussion on Decentralisation - Despite Dáil Statement by Cowen

Date Released: 14 Feb 2007

In response to a question in the Dáil about decentralisation on February 7, Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen wrongly gave the impression that his Department was actively engaged with officials in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on this issue.

According to SIPTU’s Regional Secretary, Patricia King - whose Union represents 1,600 workers in State agencies - ICTU has confirmed there have been no discussions between Congress and the Department of Finance whatsoever on this matter.

“The only exception has been the very occasional telephone conversation concerning the generality of the Government’s proposal with senior officials from the Department of Finance responsible for the issue,” she said.

“The reality is that the Decentralisation Implementation Group has asked the Department of Finance to pursue directly with ICTU, proposals on getting discussions under way on the full range of industrial relations issues relating to the decentralisation of State agencies.

“We welcome any initiative to deal with this issue so long as the underlying principle that decentralisation must be on a truly voluntary, properly managed, planed and rational basis, is adhered to.

“Unlike the civil service, SIPTU members are not working for one employer and do not share a generic skill mix that is readily transferable between agencies,” she concluded.





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