Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 10, inclusive, together.

As I indicated in reply to previous questions on the matter, the recommendations of the Nally report in regard to the reorganisation of the Chief State Solicitor's office have been largely implemented. The recommendation that responsibility for local State solicitors should be transferred from the Attorney General to the DPP, with legislative provision to enable the DPP to delegate to them, is almost implemented and should be fully implemented in the nearfuture.

The offices of the Chief State Solicitor and Director of Public Prosecutions have been in negotiations with the State Solicitors' Association for some considerable time. Following these lengthy negotiations, a revised offer was made to the association on 6 September 2006. The association indicated it will accept the offer subject to agreement on new contracts with the Director of Public Prosecutions. The details of the new contracts are in the final stages of agreement.

Officials in the Chief State Solicitor's office and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions are confident final agreement will be reached in the near future allowing for the service to transfer. The 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.

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