Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has put in place the procedures he promised in Dáil Éireann on 8 June 2006 for consultation between his Department and the Offices of the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions in the case of litigation on constitutional and policy issues; the new procedures now in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30622/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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In my response to Parliamentary Question, reference No. 22200/06 on 8 June 2006, I undertook that my Department would co-operate in every possible way, including the implementation of any new communications or consultation arrangements, with the examination of the Attorney General's Office by an official from the Department of Finance which was then due to take place.

Arising out of that examination, recommendation No. 16 states that: Having regard to the interdependence and importance of communications between the following Offices in serious litigation cases, the Director General should convene a conference to discuss how relevant material, including notifications, trial dates and notice of judgment can be most promptly communicate, on receipt of any of the Offices to the other Offices. These Offices are: (a) CSSO, (b) Courts Service, (c) DPP, (d) Chief Prosecution Solicitor's Office, and (e) Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

In compliance with that recommendation, a conference has been arranged for 6 October 2006 at which officials from my Department will attend.