Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is different to the soundings I got in this House about decentralisation when I was Minister for Finance or even now that I am Taoiseach. That is fair enough because we do not all have to rule with an iron consistency.

To answer the Deputy's question, I can only answer based on what is available to my Department. There will be fit-out costs which must be included in the equation. I make these points in the interests of an accurate and balanced debate.

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