asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they received advanced notification that the President of the Republic of Ireland would announce policy concerning the transfer of policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if so, why the announcement was made by the president; and who briefed the president. [HL2753]

The UK Government did not receive advance notification of the president's response to a journalist's question. The president's comment reflected earlier public statements by the Taoiseach and is therefore a restatement of the Irish Government's position. Arrangements for briefing the president are, of course, a matter for the Irish authorities.