Frank Mac Donald's article on OPW decentralisation.

[Christine Murray]

The focus of Mac Donald's discussion on Mc Creevy's 2003 decentralisation is the removal of the OPW headquarters from 52 St Stephen's Green to Trim. l do hope the DOJ are happy to house a section there btw, it is a lovely building and suited it's original purpose admirably. Staff of the OPW now do a huge bus commute daily from Dublin to Trim, Manseragh's office is almost bare and visiting guests can't just pop in to access files anymore. it suited Mc Creevy to throw decentralisation into the 2003 budget debate and people got time wasteage, transport conundrums and important depts stupidly located. Yahooland ! More at link : McCreevy's plan to decentralise now pointless - The Irish Times - Thu, Mar 18, 2010

[Schuhart]

More at link : McCreevy's plan to decentralise now pointless - The Irish Times - Thu, Mar 18, 2010

Good article, but I think he's a voice in the wilderness. People should be outraged at this utter waste of resources. Instead, they'll excuse it with imbecilic comments like 'oh, its a great boost for Trim'. As if stimulating the manufacture of lunchtime sandwiches in Trim was such a benefit that it justified disemboweling a significant Government Department.

The imbecility that is McCreevey's decentralisation is at the core of what's wrong with our 'society'. Yet there is no engagement with this at all. Look at how your post is languishing without response. I know it probably doesn't help that you put in in the Oireachtas forum - it probably better suits Environment or Economy. But, still, this article deserves attention and response.

[Christine Murray]

l am used to languishing posts! as to the Mac Donald article, FF have sprouted a bunch of nasty interpretative centres, ignored their duty of care in stewardship (National Monuments Act 2004 and the transposition of 'elements of Aarhus' into the 2006 SIB) to be concerned about such a small red herring as decentralisation. Art and culture mean nothing to gamblers and yahoos.

[juanpablo]

Step 1: Introduce National Spatial Strategy (8 hubs & a dozen secondary hubs)

Step 2: Introduce Decentralisation programme - relocate to 50+ locations

Step 3: ?1?!

Step 4: start again

I dunno, instead of physical decentralisation how about devolving regulatory authority in area's like public transport to reorganised regional government bodies.

[Christine Murray]

I do wonder how may of our public servants hoiked onto a bus daily for the Trim commute signed up to the Mc Creevy CAF :

McCreevy launches Decentralisation Central Applications Facility. - Department of Finance - Government of Ireland

The article doesn't discuss Mr Manseragh's transportation in any detail at all BUT it was a nice
OPW building and as stated above (^), admirable for its purpose.

[ibis]

I do wonder how may of our public servants hoiked onto a bus daily for the Trim commute signed up to the Mc Creevy CAF :

McCreevy launches Decentralisation Central Applications Facility. - Department of Finance - Government of Ireland

The article doesn't discuss Mr Manseragh's transportation in any detail at all BUT it was a nice
OPW building and as stated above (^), admirable for its purpose.

Decentralisation: the gift that just keeps giving.

[dresden8]

Good article, but I think he's a voice in the wilderness. People should be outraged at this utter waste of resources. Instead, they'll excuse it with imbecilic comments like 'oh, its a great boost for Trim'. As if stimulating the manufacture of lunchtime sandwiches in Trim was such a benefit that it justified disemboweling a significant Government Department.

The imbecility that is McCreevey's decentralisation is at the core of what's wrong with our 'society'. Yet there is no engagement with this at all. Look at how your post is languishing without response. I know it probably doesn't help that you put in in the Oireachtas forum - it probably better suits Environment or Economy. But, still, this article deserves attention and response.

Well to be fair, public servants did complain but we were told to stfu and do what we were told, sure weren't we going to make a fortune off the houses.

This is very old news now, gombeen bogger developers sold houses, isn't that what it was all about?

[Christine Murray]

Decentralisation: the gift that just keeps giving.

I shouldn't have gone to see Alice in Wonderland, cos it was quite boring,(save
effects) BUT I have to say some of the decisions made about heritage and
buildings (their useage and function) could take reference from Burton.

I don't think we are anywhere near the lowest point yet, because FF/Green still
have the Strategic Infrastructure Bill and all that entails tucked up their sleeve,
so time wasteage, bad transport, rundown roads, heavy tolls and reduction in
rights to protest under the Aarhus convention will doubtlessly facilitate their
next generation of mates. It's a fcking merry-go-round and people love it.

This was quite clearly signalled by the succession of Planning bills that have
done little in the way of commitment to heritage preservation since 2001;
and include the Housing bill (miscelllaneous provisions), The NMA 2004, The
SIB 2006 and varieites of Roads Acts. The previous http://www.environ.ie
Minister did little in terms of the transposition of EU laws/directives into our
planning and not much more has come out of Gormley.