Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, together.

The recommendations of the Nally report in relation to the re-organisation of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor have been largely implemented. Agreement with the unions involved was achieved during 2001. The criminal prosecutions functions undertaken by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor were transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions at the end of 2001.

A common promotion pool within the two offices between the CSSO and the solicitors' division of the DPP's office for professional solicitor and technical promotion posts formed part of the agreement and this is now operating. A negotiation process with local State solicitors is currently under way seeking to agree on the transfer of the service to the DPP. Consultants appointed to undertake a study of the current workload of local State solicitors and their expense base have recently submitted their report which is now under consideration in the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. It will be used as the basis for substantive negotiations with the State solicitors' association. All sides are anxious to conclude these negotiations as quickly as possible. Enabling legislation and appropriate legislative provisions are contained in the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005 which was signed by the President on 9 July 2005.

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