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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Attorney General's Office Staffing.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

1 Mr. Dukes asked the Taoiseach whether he has any plans to increase the staff resources in the Office of the Attorney General.

A competition is at present being conducted by the Civil Service Commission for new posts of legal assistant in the Office of the Attorney General. It is proposed to make up to four appointments. It is hoped that the persons appointed will take up office at the end of the summer.

Will the Taoiseach agree that it is urgent that this be proceeded with? Is the Taoiseach aware that the word about the House is that these difficulties in the Attorney General's office are holding up the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill? For all we know it may be difficulties in that office that are holding up a whole series of other Bills, including seven promised Bills that have not yet appeared.

I am not so aware.

Will the Taoiseach inform himself, because there are seven Bills which were promised for this session which have not yet appeared, which the Government said were urgent? Could the Taoiseach give us any indication whether the proposed strengthening of the Attorney General's office will improve the situation in the autumn?

I hope it will. As the Deputy knows, getting Bills processed though the parliamentary draftsman's office is a problem for all Governments. Some of the Bills on hands at the moment are complicated and require consideration in relation to constitutional aspects. However, we will keep trying.

Will the Taoiseach indicate whether any particular person or persons in the Attorney General's office will now be given responsibility to draft legislation to implement the many outstanding reports published by the Law Reform Commission to deal with a variety of areas that demand attention and which do not appear to have a political priority?

The Deputy is raising a particular matter worthy of a special question.

I would reply to the Deputy in the same terms as I replied to Deputy Dukes.

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