Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I refer to the first question regarding the forum. It will meet in working group session. I understand it has decided to meet in a working group session rather than in plenary session as it is more effective.

Obviously, an allocation has been made to it this year, within which one hopes it must operate. Second, in respect of the Moriarty issue, that matter is being dealt with by Mr. Justice Moriarty himself. As I have indicated, he has organised this to minimise the number of public hearings to avoid unnecessary costs, as he saw it, to the public. Obviously, however, he has indicated that he may need to deal with that issue again and we must wait and see whether that is the case.

The allocation for the organisational review programme, subhead a9, is a sum of €686,000. As the Deputy noted, it is being provided to cover the costs associated with that programme, including salaries, publication of reports and consultancy. The funding allocation in respect of consultancy has been halved, following the Government's decision in July 2008, to €46,000. This programme is about trying to ascertain how the Government can reorganise programmes in various Departments in a more cost-effective manner. It constitutes a strategic overview by the Department of the Taoiseach to try to drive efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of programmes.

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