Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

As I indicated in reply to previous questions on the matter, the recommendations of the Nally report in relation to the reorganisation of the Chief State Solicitor's office have been largely implemented. Agreement with the unions involved was achieved during 2001. The criminal prosecutions functions undertaken by the Chief State Solicitor's office 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 negotiating process with local State solicitors is currently under way, seeking to agree on the transfer of the service to the DPP. Two reviewers were appointed to undertake a study of the current workload of local State solicitors and their expense base. They have submitted their report and this has been considered by the Chief State Solicitor's office and the DPP's office.

A formal offer of increased remuneration, approved by the Department of Finance, was made to the State Solicitors Association on 21 April 2006. Representatives of the Chief State Solicitor's office and the DPP's office met with the State Solicitors Association to discuss the offer. The association rejected this offer and submitted a new proposal on 10 July 2006. A new offer was made to the association on 6 September 2006 and it indicated on 29 September that it will not accept this offer at present and wishes to have further discussions on the matter.

Enabling legislation and appropriate legislative provisions on the transfer of the local State solicitor service are contained in the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Act 2005, which was signed by the President on 9 July 2005.

See this speech in context