In Dublin's Mansion House last Monday Bertie Ahern told journalists, "I think decentralisation is a good thing for this country, we have to get away from this concept that Dublin is Ireland."

In his introduction to the government's National Spatial Strategy document, the Taoiseach says, "The Greater Dublin Area is facing problems of congestion, while a number of regions suffer from under-utilisation of their potential and resources."

He goes on to say, "In order to achieve more balanced regional development, a greater share of economic activity must take place outside the Greater Dublin Area."

What a pity his government does not practice what Bertie preaches.

In the Dail on September 15, 2005, Minister Martin Cullen used the same document to argue that the reckless development of Dublin Airport with its new terminals and new runway, designed to cater for 55m passengers a year, was wholly consistent with National Spatial Strategy.

Antonio in The Merchant of Venice said, "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose." It seems even holy books can be twisted to serve bad planning.

Minister Cullen has refused even to consider alternatives to this uneconomic and unsustainable expansion by the Dublin Airport Authority, such as development of Cork and Shannon airports or the building of a new airport to serve the Greater Dublin Area.

This is in spite of the fact that Finance Minister, Brian Cowen, requires public bodies to subject their spending proposals to a rigorous economic evaluation, including an objective consideration of real alternatives.

Just who is in charge here?