171 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of task forces or special committees set up in his Department since 1997; the date they were established; the terms of reference of each; if they have reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24494/01]

I have set out below the information sought by the Deputy.

The Government approved the establishment of the committee to review the Offences Against the State Acts in July 1998. The terms of reference are to:

examine all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts, 1939-1998, taking into account: (a) the view of the participants to the multi-Party Negotiations that the development of a peaceful environment on the basis of the Agreement they reached on 10 April 1998 can and should mean a normalisation of security arrangements and practices; (b) the threat posed by international terrorism and organised crime; and (c) Ireland's obligations under international law; and to report to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as soon as practicable with recommendations for reform.

The terms of reference originally covered the Offences Against the State Acts, 1939-1985. The Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, enacted after the Omagh bombing in August 1998, was subsequently added. The committee issued an interim report in June 2001 on the Special Criminal Court.

The interdepartmental working group on integration was established in November 1998 to formulate a strategy for implementing the Government's policy of responding positively to the needs of persons granted refugee status or leave to remain. The group's report was launched in February 2000. The terms of reference of the working group were to review the arrangements for integrating persons granted refugee status or permission to remain in Ireland, including the appropriate institutional structures for the delivery of these services and to make recommendations.

The independent monitoring committee for the Refugee Legal Service was established in October 1999 to ensure that a quality refugee legal service is provided in accordance with the arrangement agreed between the Legal Aid Board and the Department and to investigate complaints from customers of the service. In accordance with their terms of reference, the monitoring committee is required to prepare an annual report to be submitted to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The report for 2000 is being finalised at present.

A review group on investment-based naturalisation was established on 20 April 1998. The terms of reference were to review the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956, to see how it might facilitate investment. The group reported in May 2000.