I propose to take Questions Nos. 378 and 379 together.
On 8 September 1993, the Government designated Mr. Justice Declan Costello, Judge of the High Court for the purposes of section 8 of the Intereption of Postal Packets and Telecommunications (Messages) Act, 1993. He continued in that role up to the date of his retirement as President of the High Court on 1 January 1998. The procedures for the appointment of a successor to Mr. Justice Costello are almost completed, and I expect that the Government will be asked to approve a nomination very shortly.
During the period of his appoinment Mr. Justice Costello presented four reports to the Taoiseach in accordance with the provisions of section 8(2) of the Act. These reports were dated 16 July 1994, 25 July 1995, 19 July 1996 and 14 July 1997 and were duly laid before each House of the Oireachtas on 5 August 1994, 25 August 1995, 31 July 1996 and 6 October 1997. Each report was accompanied by a statement under section 8(7) of the Act certifying that no matter had been excluded from it under section 8(8) of the Act. In the case of the four reports, the designated judge expressed himself satisfied that the provisions of the Act had been complied with.