Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for Finance indicated in his budget the bodies which may be merged or dissolved depending on the various proposals he announced. These will be the priority for Government in the immediate future. As to what other proposals may arise, that is a matter for the Government to consider at any time. I cannot give the Deputy a date on which the implementation plans will be available. Obviously, work on the issue is ongoing as a result of the budget announcements.

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