Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That will have to be taken into account. It was not intended that they would be set up immediately. The consulate in Atlanta will be set up in the first instance and Houston in due course. It is hoped that this can be done from within existing resources. We have to take cognisance of the financial situation also, but I believe those consulates will emerge in time as the priorities suggest.

See this speech in context