Decentralisation is not an option but it is essential for the country, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy said this evening.
Mr McCreevy attacked critics of his decentralisation plan on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the decentralisation of the Revenue Commissioners Collector-General's Office in Limerick.
He said the Collector-General's Office proved that decentralised offices can work "efficiently and effectively" and they can fit comfortably into cities and towns outside of Dublin.
"The Collector General's Office is a shining example of what decentralisation can achieve," Mr McCreevy said.
"Decentralisation is not an option for the country, it is essential and will deliver real benefits to Dublin, the regions, public servants and the public alike," he added.
Mr McCreevy said that he intends that the 80 jobs in his own Department, which are decentralising to Tullamore, Co Offaly, will begin to move early next year.