Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am a former Minister for Labour and I know what industrial relations are about. I have always worked through the machinery. At no time have I sought to influence a scenario which does not respect the legitimate interests of everybody with regard to this matter. I have stated in my speech that it is through dialogue that we will deal with these problems. The assertion made by the Deputy that there is some attempt to change the voluntary nature of the programme is not correct.

I have outlined in my speech the question of State agency employees moving to other activities if they wish to remain in Dublin, which is consistent with the decentralisation programme. It is a new experience and it will require a groundbreaking initiative. We are prepared to work with the concerned interests, including unions, on all these matters.

See this speech in context