Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

On the first question, last year the Minister for Finance approved 28 new permanent posts and one contract post for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take account of the increase in the volume and complexity of work undertaken by the office, as referred to during Question Time that day, and the fact that new areas of work have emerged, which must be addressed. The staff have been employed, bringing the total authorised staff complement of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to 204. Filling of additional posts was sanctioned last year. The process was slow initially due to difficulties in securing accommodation for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, but I understand the office has continued to recruit staff, notwithstanding accommodation difficulties. The office currently has eight staff vacancies and five solicitors in the process of appointment. Practically all of them are there, bringing it up to the full complement.

In addition to the new staff sanctioned last year, the director is in communication with the Courts Service and the Departments of Finance and Justice, Equality and Law Reform with regard to further staff required to implement a range of initiatives under the Criminal Justice Act. These had not arisen at that time and represent additional work. I understand the number of additional staff has not been considered in the consultation between the two Departments and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, but the additional workload has been identified.

The director is examining the extra staff that will be required to have responsibility with regard to the Deputy's second question. Responsibility for sea fisheries protection has been transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions from the Attorney General. As part of that, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has a team in her Department examining the issue of administrative sanctions under fisheries legislation. With the necessary legal advice the Minister will come to a decision on that in due course.

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