Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the Deputy's first matter, a project team is in place which will report by the end of the year on that specific point. I believe it is No. 8 in the overall action plan. That has been taken up as a matter of priority and urgency.

With regard to the third phase of the review, four Departments are being examined in that respect. They are the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Education and Skills, Foreign Affairs and the Taoiseach. I understand that substantive progress has been made. I expect these reviews and the associated action plans to be completed in the new year.

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