Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I will not comment on any individual person or case. I am not in a position to do so and it would be inappropriate to act in the manner the Deputy invites me to.

I agree that the basis on which people volunteer information or a sample should not be abused. If they are led to believe that what they volunteer is to be used solely for the purposes of one particular investigation then that should happen. They should not be tricked into providing a sample for another purpose. Informed consent is the keynote for persons who volunteer samples.

Samples should be taken from people arrested for serious offences, namely, those carrying a penalty of five years' imprisonment or more. They should also be taken from people charged with a number of offences carrying lesser penalties, such as indecency or under age sex.

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