Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In his desire to give an accurate account of what it costs to move people the Deputy decided to divide a figure he knows by the number of early movers. It does not, however, cost that sum because we will dispose of the other buildings and money will come in for them. We hear a great deal from the financial spokesman in the Deputy's party about the need for models and giving credence to models. There is a model in place to which the Deputy does not refer as he puts these high figures into the public domain. The model confirms that within 20 years, this programme will pay for itself in terms of its property acquisition and release aspects. When one moves people from one Department to another, offices become vacant and have a value.

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