Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the staff in the Department of Justice and the Prison Service for their work over the past two years, in particular. It has been a very difficult time for everyone, given the role of the Garda, the Prison Service and the Department. I thank them for all the work that was done over that difficult period.

On the issue of capital projects, Ms McPhillips referred to the roll-out of the Forensic Science Ireland's laboratory headquarters, which is on time and will remain within cost. I understand the project will cost €99.5 million. Does that include fully kitting out the facility and having it fully operational? When is the project likely to be finalised?

During the transition of evidence from one facility to another, the chain of evidence cannot be broken. How is that planned to be dealt with to ensure there are no gaps in the transition period? Has that been planned for? Over what time period will that take place? What level of planning has gone into that at this stage?