Opening of the Departments New Offices in Cavan Town

As you will know a significant site, on the Farnham Road, has already been acquired through the Office of Public Works, for our permanent offices. We expect construction to be completed in 2009. However, I felt it was imperative, in the intervening period, to progress a phased relocation to Cavan rather than take the “big bang” approach.

This week an advance party of twenty of the department’s staff, including senior management, started working in temporary offices at Elm House, here in Cavan Town.

As I have said, this marks the beginning of a phased relocation and already works well are advanced in Elm House on accommodation to facilitate a further 15 staff and the Department is actively seeking to acquire additional temporary accommodation in the town.

This weeks advance deployment represents important functions of the Department in key Corporate Support areas. These functions are vital to the effective operation and business delivery of the Department across its wide range of economic and policy areas.

The co-ordination of our business interaction with the European Union is now happening from Cavan, as is the co-ordination of our national policy responsibilities and management of our Freedom of Information obligations.

Our North-South co-operation initiatives, within the Good Friday Agreement and more broadly, most notably in energy, communications and broadcasting are high on our business agenda. I am delighted to tell you that all of this business will be co-ordinated from County Cavan which given its geographical location, is entirely appropriate.

Management of the Department’s property and accommodation nationwide will also be delivered from Cavan as will the direction of our health and safety obligations and a number of key financial functions.

In addition, the management of the department’s Decentralisation Programme will be undertaken from Cavan.

All of these front line functions are here because we see Cavan as an important hub in our business activities. A location where we are starting off on the right foot, by placing key business areas in the town from day one. The very nature and importance of these functions demonstrates that we do not consider today’s event as a token gesture – it is that start of a much bigger project, one on which I am keen to deliver.

I am here today, together with the Department’s Secretary General, Brendan Tuohy and our senior management, not only to open our advance office in Cavan but also to signal our commitment to the town and the county.

The department’s location here will boost an already significant public sector presence in Cavan. I understand from our senior management in Cavan and in the County Council that discussions have mooted the development of crosswalks and interaction across the public sector in Cavan. This can only benefit the town and the county and I support it fully.

We arrive here today with considerable assistance and support from a number of organisations and people. I want to extend my appreciation to the Office of Public Works who fitted out and furnished the new office to a very high standard.

Thanks too to the Chair and members of Cavan County Council and Cavan Town Council and to the County Manager and his staff whose invaluable assistance contributed hugely.

I would also like to express my thanks to Mr Joe McAtackney who helped our staff enormously with the often difficult logistics of moving major functions into Cavan.

Finally a word of gratitude to Minister Brendan Smith whose support for this initiative locally never wavered and was a key factor in getting us here today.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Government and my Department I want to say to this gathering, representing the County and people of Cavan, we are here as part of your community and to thank you all for the welcome we have received

Ends