274 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the proposed move of laboratories from Model Farm Road in Cork city to Macroom. [22964/04]

The location of the proposed new laboratory in Macroom was a decision of the Cabinet sub-committee on decentralisation and is part of the Government's overall decentralisation plan. While my Department is in the process of preparing detailed accommodation briefs no formal plans regarding dates etc. can be made at this stage. The central decentralisation implementation group will report to the Cabinet sub-committee in the autumn outlining its views on sequencing and timing of decentralisation.

275 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for an independent professional commission of inquiry into the decentralisation programme; and if he will consider postponing the present ill-conceived decentralisation plan. [21270/04]

I have no plans to hold a commission of inquiry into the decentralisation programme. Immediately after the Government announcement of the programme an implementation group, chaired by Mr. Phil Flynn, was appointed to drive forward implementation of the programme. This group has issued two reports to date. I can confirm that the Government has no plans to postpone the programme and is fully committed to its implementation as soon as possible.