Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope Forensic Science Ireland will engage in the work it has been mandated to do, which involves the work described by the Deputy. The priority is to ensure the elaborate and exciting capital project can continue, leading to the opening in two years of the new centre at Backweston.

I acknowledge the increased allocation of funding to facilitate the recruitment of staff by GSOC. I understand 42 new staff are being recruited, some of whom are in situ. Members of the committee are aware of the legislative programme as a consequence of the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Again, appropriate progress has been made in that regard. It involves a greater level of independence being accorded to the newly constructed police complaints body. This is something that will occur in the next 18 months or so.

The Deputy spoke about the judicial council and the judicial appointments commission. The moneys indicated in the Estimates are merely indicators and timeframes will be involved. It is unlikely that the mechanics of the judicial appointments commission will be in place in their entirety this year. However, I am very keen to make progress on the judicial council. The funding is merely indicative and, in many respects, reflective of the bodies starting up. The position will be reviewed from time to time.