Legislative Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (157, 158)

John Gormley

Question:

339 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of pieces of legislation that have been drafted outside the Office of the Attorney General by solicitors since the general election of 2002; the cost to date of the outsourcing of the drafting of legislation; if legislation has had to be corrected subsequently in many cases; the Bills which are currently being drafted by firms of solicitors; the legislation he intends to outsource this term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21826/04]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

349 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the approval of the Attorney General was sought by his Department in regard to the subcontracting out to private firms of the drafting of legislation; the number of occasions on which such consent was given; if the Attorney General is satisfied with the drafting of legislation outside of his office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22708/04]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 349 together.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not subcontracted out any work in relation to drafting legislation nor does the Minister for Foreign Affairs intend to outsource any legislative drafting work during this Dáil term.