Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I must reply. The Deputy is predictable and obviously has no intention to deal with the issue in a serious way. The Taoiseach rightly outlined the various issues that arose in discussions, but this does not mean that the Government has changed its policy. Everyone knows what issues will be raised in discussions, as they were raised in previous discussions on implementation plans and the decentralisation programme. The Opposition's political line in the House has always been to suggest that nothing is working and the programme should be forgotten. I am fed up answering questions on decentralisation asked by the Deputy and Members of his party.

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