Dr. Sheila Willis:

Yes there is an issue in that we have fewer resources than are necessary to provide the service we have signed up to provide.

In regard to the service level agreement we sign with An Garda Síochána on an annual basis, there are all sorts of excuses as to why things are slower or not delivered, partly due to a number of retirements and resignations from FSI. While I am pleased to say there are plans to fill those positions, the lag-time between the vacancy arising and a person arriving in the door is a problem. Another problem is the amount of training required before that person is of value to us. If I look back on 35 years of work in the laboratory, what I see are gaps or crises every so many years. We have a crisis like we have now, the position is filled and we survive for another while and then there is another crisis. There seems to be no systematic planning for what I consider a necessary ongoing service.

In terms of ideal numbers, we should look at the position in other jurisdictions. Based on what we see elsewhere, Ireland is getting a good value for money service from FSI.