Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

In reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, on 1 November 2006, I stated substantial progress had been made in implementing the recommendations of the Sullivan report. Further progress has been made since. Implementation of the recommendations of the report formed part of the Attorney General office's action plan under the Towards 2016 performance verification process and progress reported to the Civil Service performance verification group, with the progress reports published on the office's website.

Specific developments in implementing the Sullivan report include a review by a number of advisory counsel of risk management procedures for sensitive cases within the advisory groups regular legal MAC meetings since 11 October 2006; three reports to the Government on sensitive and constitutional cases since October 2006; six secondments of advisory counsel grade III made to Departments and more recruited by the Office of the Attorney General for training prior to secondment; discussions have advanced between the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions about the transfer of responsibility for fisheries prosecution to the latter office; and the transfer of administration of the Attorney General's scheme to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 1 February this year.

The three-person panel of external experts, risk management group, appointed in June 2006 by the Attorney General made their initial report on 17 July this year. As it is an initial report, it is not intended to publish it. The report details 11 key findings and related recommendations arising from their review and examination of systems. The recommendations revolve around issues of overview of sensitive cases, arrangements to identify and monitor sensitive cases, file maintenance and management, technology supports and diary alert systems, with collaboration and notification arrangements across the office. The recommendations have been or are being implemented. Further consultation with the group will take place as necessary. In its 2007 annual report, to be published early in 2008, the Office of the Attorney General will report further on the implementation of the Sullivan report, as well as report progress to the Civil Service performance verification group.

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