Ruairí Quinn
Question:24 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the progress made to date in implementing the Nally Report on reorganisation of the Chief State Solicitor's office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14385/02]
Written Answers. - Nally Report.
The Nally Report contained two recommendations specifically relating to the reorganisation of the Chief State Solicitor's office. One recommended that, subject to agreement on adequate staffing levels and appropriate staff structures, the criminal division of the CSSO should be transferred to the DPP's office to form a unit headed by a solicitor to the DPP, with statutory clarification that its professional staff would be professional staff of the DPP within the meaning of the 1974 Act. The second recommended that responsibility for the state solicitors should be transferred from the Attorney General to the DPP, with legislative provision to enable the DPP to delegate to them.
Following intensive negotiations with staff interests, agreement was reached on the transfer of responsibility for criminal prosecution work to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution. The formal transfer took place on 3 December 2001. In January of this year the staff involved moved into new premises in Abbey Street.
The transfer of responsibility for the state solicitor service, which will require legislation, has been under consideration and a discussion process with the State Solicitors' Association is being established.
Question No. 25 resubmitted.