That statement was included in the statement of strategy published some months ago by the DPP. A number of additional staff have been appointed to the office. The litigation is almost endless. An application from the DPP will of course receive priority because of the importance of the office, but there has been no recent request from the Director. The office has been working on the development of a modern information technology system in all the offices. They have also been working towards increasing staff to an appropriate level. Substantial resources have been made available to all the offices, including a large amount of money for the development of information technology. The same applies to the Chief State Solicitor's office, which has installed a major networking computer system and commenced refurbishment of the office and the extension of its premises at Ship Street which is to be completed next summer. The l998 Estimates provide for an increase of 11.5 per cent. I admit the amount of resources taken up on the deafness claims is putting a strain on the office. A large proportion of staff is caught up doing work they did not have 18 months ago. We will deal with any requests for additional staff in the DPP's office.
The Deputy referred to the unified prosecution service, which forms a substantial part of the DPP's report. That is being considered by Government and the State law offices review group set up by the previous Attorney General. Following the report they agreed they did not have enough information to implement it, based on the assessment. They are, therefore, looking at the situation to see if that is the best way of proceeding. It would be immensely costly to do that. Effectively, it would rule the Garda out of their present role and everything would be done on a legal basis. It would have huge ramifications. A member of the DPP's staff was on the group, however, and agreed they would need to examine it in far more detail before they could proceed. He put it forward in a strategy statement as something he would like to see in the future.