Minister for Agriculture Fisheries & Food Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Decentralision to Cavan

Speech at 20 Years Celebration of Department's Decentralisation to Cavan, Hotel Kilmore Saturday 7th November 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen, Colleagues and Friends

I am delighted to be here tonight in my home town to celebrate with you, the 20th anniversary of the decentralisation of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, my own Department, to Cavan. The opening of the Department's Office in Cavan in 1989 was the realisation of a dream and ambition of former local public representative, Tánaiste, Minister and friend of mine, the late John Wilson TD.

The establishment of this office was one of the highlights of John's political life in the service of the people of Ireland and the people of Cavan and Monaghan.

In preparing for this evening, I realised that we are sharing a 20th anniversary with one of the most momentous events in modern European history - the fall of the Berlin wall - which has been prominently commemorated this week.

Although the scale of the impact of these events in 1989 is not comparable, it is a nice symmetry that the beginning of something so positive for Cavan Town, shares its birth with something that has literally changed the political and social landscape of modern Europe.

The transfer of the Department to Cavan twenty years ago was a momentous milestone for the Department but also in the Government's programme of decentralisation. The huge effort invested by the first contingent, some 130 staff, to ensure the successful operation of the Cavan office, at a time when the technology available was very limited, is a shining example of how decentralisation can work in practice. The delivery of services from the various divisions who came to Cavan, from Accounts Division, Livestock Breeding Division, On-Farm Investments Scheme Payments and the Land Commission was anxiously watched by some but it was soon apparent that these services were in safe hands.

I want to compliment all of the staff currently working in the Cavan office for their contribution to the work of the Department and also to pay tribute to those people who worked here in the early days.

The opening of Government Building also had an enormous impact on the Department's staff already in Cavan town- the District Veterinary office, the Livestock Schemes Office, Farm Development Office and the Land Commission. For the first time the Department was in a position to offer the staff and Department customers' modern spacious office accommodation and adequate reception facilities. The decentralisation also provided the staff with increased the opportunities for job mobility and promotion within in their local area.

The period 1989-2009 has been characterised by massive rapid change and new challenges arising at every level, personal, societal, international. These changes are also reflected in the changes to the work carried out in the Department's Cavan Office over its 20 years. But the performance of the staff here in Cavan has not changed. DAFF is at the top of the rankings within Government Departments with respect to its accounting and MIF systems. Outputs from the Cavan office continue to have real meaning at local, national and international level whether it is the service delivery to a herdowner or to a vet by the local office, the resolution of a land title problem, the payment of entitlements or breed improvement measures. I also want to compliment Management and staff in DAFF, Cavan, past and present, on the way in which they have embraced and implemented new technology resulting in a better and more customer focused service delivery to its clients.

Now, as part of the ongoing reorganisation of the Department, Cavan is one of the proposed new regional centres arising out of the re-organisation of the Department's local office network. This builds on the Department's significant investment in information technology and the objectives set out in the Government's 'Transforming Public Services' Programme.

The Department's presence in Cavan has had a very positive impact on the town. As a local politician, I am keenly aware of the contribution staff from this office make to the local economy and to surrounding rural communities as is evidenced from the generous support given by local businesses for this event. Staff from the Department contribute to the town in many ways, through shopping, eating out, sport, socialising etc. In general, you have added vitality and life to the area.

The contribution made by the Cavan office to the work of the Department is valued and appreciated by myself, as Minister, and by the SG and his colleagues. Although we are situated in Dublin we do depend on you in order to discharge our responsibilities. You play a key role in the day-to-day running of the Department.

Tonight when we cast our minds back over the past twenty years, we can all recollect happy and sad times, successes and disappointments, people we have met and others we have lost. Earlier today we remembered your colleagues who passed away over the past 20 years. Those who have passed on leave behind them the rich legacy of memories and, if we are lucky, some of their wisdom. While some 150 staff posts decentralised, twice that number have worked in the Office for various periods and moved on to other locations and positions. For all them, their time in the Cavan office was a happy experience and this is reflected by former and retired staff that have joined in the celebrations tonight.

Before concluding, I would like to thank the Organising Committee for inviting Anne and I to the celebrations here tonight and for their efforts in making this a most enjoyable and memorable occasion. Congratulations on celebrating this milestone of the Department's presence in Cavan and I wish you all continued success and satisfaction in your various roles in Government Buildings Cavan.