DIFFICULTIES which arose in a recent extradition case were not the fault of the office of the Attorney General, the Taoiseach said.

The PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, said she accepted that, but there was an alert system in the office which allowed the Attorney General to personally check and monitor all applications for extradition. That being the case, was there any monitoring done on behalf of the Attorney General in the recent case?

Mr Bruton said the matter would be the subject of a comprehensive reply from the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, which, would be given after all the relevant inquiries had been completed.