asked the Taoiseach the steps he has taken to improve staffing in the Attorney General's Office with specific regard to the training and deployment of parliamentary draftsmen in order to avoid the problems of delay and back-long in the preparation of legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Two senior draftsmen have been appointed to the staff of the Attorney General's Office in recent months and it is proposed to make a third appointment.

These increases should avoid any undue delay in the preparation of legislation but the situation will be kept under review.

Would the Taoiseach say whether the two senior appointments and the proposed third are to replace people who are retiring or is he talking about an overall increase in the total allocation of draftsmen in the Office of the Attorney General?

It is part of the ongoing staffing arrangements.

In other words, they have retired?

No, they have been appointed.

But they have been appointed to fill the gaps created by people retiring. Would that be a correct interpretation?

That is all any of us can do, fill a gap here and there from time to time.

I did ask the Taoiseach what steps he had taken to improve the staffing level. Do I understand from his reply that he has maintained the status quo but has not improved the overall staffing?

No, we have improved the situation.

To what extent in absolute terms?

By appointing two senior draftsmen.

How many vacancies have arisen as a result of retirements?

I have not got that information.

I am surprised.

Probably the Deputy is; there are a lot of things surprising these days.

That does not prevent one seeking information.

The Deputy should not take me on; I am in great form today.