Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The Minister was probably in the House some three weeks ago when the Tánaiste indicated that an announcement on decentralisation was due within a day or two days at most. What has happened to that announcement? Is it being held back for the budget, as would appear to be the case? What is the Minister saying about the multi-annual envelope? The Minister of State kindly told the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service it would cost €800 million to accommodate the new staff and that proceeds from sales would be €400 million. Will we see a multi-annual spread of these costs published with the budget?

See this speech in context