Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

It is extraordinary that the State Pathologist, Dr. Marie Cassidy's entitlement to a Garda-driven car has been withdrawn due to cutbacks in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The State Pathologist is the most important person involved in the investigation of crimes of homicide. She is the forensic scientist who must examine the body and the scene of the crime before it is disturbed by the elements or other interference. It is essential that she can reach the scene in the shortest possible time to conduct a thorough examination.

A successful criminal prosecution often depends on the State Pathologist's report. It is unconscionable that the Government would compel her to drive hundreds of miles to the four corners of the country, night or day to conduct a detailed, complex examination of the crime scene which must stand up in court, and then drive home again. She might need to drive a considerable distance again the following day.

There are 73 gardaí attached to the ministerial driving pool at a cost of €5 million. Although that number of gardaí is available to Ministers, some judges, the Government Chief Whip, the Ceann Comhairle, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief Justice and former Taoisigh and Presidents, the Government cannot find the funds to provide one extra driver for the State Pathologist.

The investigation of the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier was severely damaged and probably completely stymied because of a 24-hour delay in examining the crime scene. This Government always gets its priorities wrong but to implement this planned cutback from tomorrow, Friday 29 April, would be disastrous. It would be disastrous in the investigation of a murder, the most serious crime. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must reverse this decision and ensure the necessary funding is made available to provide the State Pathologist with the necessary transport to carry out her duties efficiently.

Our society has changed dramatically in recent years. It is almost impossible to travel even a short distance because of the number of cars and other vehicles on the roads. To expect that the State Pathologist could conduct her business properly without access to a Garda driver is unimaginable. It is gross negligence on the part of the Government if it does not ensure that the funds are made available to enable her to perform her duties properly.

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