asked the Taoiseach the number of staff assigned to the Office of Uachtarán na hÉireann; whether he considers that the staff complement assigned to Uachtarán na hÉireann is adequate for the duties and demands of the office; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Eleven staff are assigned to the Office of the Secretary to the President, which is, of course, also provided with services by a number of State agencies. I have no reason to believe that these arrangements are inadequate.

Will the Taoiseach confirm whether there has been a recent request by the Office of Uachtarán na hÉireann for an increase in the staff complement?

No.

Will the Taoiseach confirm that his answer contains provision for the expert legal advice available to the Taoiseach to advise on constitutional matters?

I did not hear the question.

Will the Taoiseach advise the House whether expert legal advice which Uachtarán na hÉireann seeks from time to time in relation to advising the Taoiseach on constitutional matters is encompassed in his reply?

No, he has the usual staff complement which has always been there and how he informs himself in regard to his constitutional duties is entirely a matter for the President himself.

It has been a matter for the Taoiseach in the recent past.

In relation to the visit by our President to other countries and the exchange of views with other presidents, are there facilities available to the President to draft an autonomous statement or are such statements exclusively drafted by the Department of Foreign Affairs?

All Departments of State respond positively to any request from the President for assistance in any of these areas.

Has there been any change in the position which existed three years ago when it was made clear that if the President wished to have access to legal advice the necessary financial arrangements for that would be made?

Any reasonable request from the President would be accepted. This is a sensitive area.