Despite recent newspaper suggestions to the contrary, the Government had not abandoned the new programme of decentralisation, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr Martin Cullen, stressed.
While it had been hoped that the Government would have been in a position to take decisions about the programme by the end of the summer, this had not been possible due to the scale of the proposed programme.
This included, for example, issues relating to the identification of those who would relocate as well as the centres to which they would relocate.
The Department had received submissions from, and representations or inquiries on behalf of, 120 urban centres throughout the State.
"It is only right and appropriate that due recognition be given to those who have gone to such lengths to articulate the merits of their respective towns.
"This consideration of the submissions and representations is, however, only one element which will contribute to informing the Government's ultimate decision.
"The Government has also invited the views of the Civil Service management and civil and public service staff unions, and is confident these groups will bring to bear their considerable experience of decentralisation and contribute significantly to informing the decision-making process."
The decision to proceed with this consultative approach was not, as described recently in one newspaper, "a significant climbdown", rather it reflected a desire on the part of the Government to take a decision which would have at its heart the interests of those communities for which decentralisation could provide such an economic boost, the Departments, offices and agencies which, through decentralisation, could maximise the efficient and effective delivery of public services and, of course, the staff for whom there might be significant benefits in relocating from our overly congested capital.
This programme was the most ambitious in the history of the State and the Government was conscious of the difficulties ahead in ensuring its effective implementation.
"It is for this reason that they have invited the views of those most closely associated with it and I am confident that with their active assistance the target of up to 10,000 can be achieved.
"I want, at this stage, to put to rest some further speculation that the Government has taken certain decisions in relation to the forthcoming programme.
"This is not the case. The Government has had and is maintaining an entirely open mind."
All cases would be fully considered. Members could be assured of an absolute commitment to proceed with the new programme.
"While I know that the deferral of the decision has caused some concern, those advocating decentralisation should know that I and my Government colleagues can be counted amongst their number."
Responding to queries posed by Ms Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG), the Minister said it was hoped that the consultative process would be concluded by the end of the year. But, as he had indicated in the past, it would take time to put the programme in place physically. Obviously it would take a number of years to do so.