Regional reaction Towns and cities that lobbied hard to be included in the Government's decentralisation plan expressed delight yesterday at the expected jobs boost the programme will bring.

However, there was a note of caution from others, who expressed concern at the lack of an official timescale to accompany the announcement.

Ms Margaret Ryan, chief executive of Laois Chamber of Commerce, said the planned move of the Department of Agriculture to Portlaoise was a "huge success story" for the area.

She said the county had suffered from the closure of a number of major companies but the arrival of 400 jobs would help reverse that trend.

"Rural Ireland is the ideal location for the Department of Agriculture. We don't know where or when it's going to happen, or if the Minister is already packing his bags right now. We'd like it to happen as fast as possible," Ms Ryan said.

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, also expressed enthusiasm for the planned change.

Staff in Knock Airport, Co Mayo, were celebrating the expected arrival of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Mr Desmond O'Flynn, the airport's marketing and sales manager, said it was a marvellous opportunity for region.

"We regard ourselves as the infrastructural beacon of the region, and I guess that others now see us as that as well. It's hugely significant because it puts Knock on the map as a place of regional development," Mr O'Flynn said.

Elected representatives in Killarney, which is about to celebrate 250 years of tourism in 2004, were delighted to learn it will be the location for the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

The Mayor of Killarney, Mr Michael Courtney (Ind), and a former Fine Gael director of elections in Kerry South, paid tribute to the efforts of the Minister, Mr O'Donoghue, in helping to secure the 160 jobs.

"This is a huge boost. We should thank John O'Donoghue," he said.

Listowel, Co Kerry, is due to host 50 posts from the Revenue Commissioners.

Cllr Ned O'Sullivan (FF) said the town's three-pronged lobbying approach, which involved a joint campaign with Kilrush, Co Clare, and Newcastle West, Co Limerick, helped to secure a total of 150 Revenue positions.

However, not all towns were celebrating. The Chamber of Commerce in Westport, Co Mayo, left out of last year's National Spatial Strategy, expressed disappointment at failing to attract any State jobs.

"We thought we would have been a more obvious choice than other areas," said Mr James O'Doherty, president of the chamber.