Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you Chairman. I thank Dr. Willis and Dr. McDermott for coming in and providing the committee with an overview of the operation. I also echo Deputy Collins' remarks about the visit to the laboratory which was an eye-opening experience and which is very beneficial to the committee's work on criminal justice matters. I wish to focus on a couple of issues which Dr. Willis made in her opening remarks, specifically with bricks and mortar and personnel.

Dr. Willis alluded to the fact that the resources available to FSI are somewhat limited and constrained. Therefore, the recruitment of additional staff would be a benefit in terms of reducing waiting times for the processing related to certain crime scenes etc. Is there a lack in regard to the optimal number of professionals within the organisation? The public service moratorium has presumably had an effect on staffing. Is there or has there been an issue in that regard in terms of the ability to perform in a timely manner?