Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Gilmore knows that better than most. He remembers that. That number of posts has been taken out of Dublin into the country areas in the locations decided upon. Were we not to have a decentralisation programme those posts would be filled within the Dublin area. One must relocate on the basis on an equal entitlement for everybody regardless of where they are from. The ultimate number of posts provided for in the service within the area before reform will obviously be that number fewer — if it is 6,000 it will be 6,000 less — because those posts are being moved. One cannot reapply for those posts in the Dublin area if they are being decentralised. That is the issue. Over time 6,000 fewer public service posts will be created in the Dublin area——

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