Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The forthcoming criminal justice (forensic sampling and evidence) Bill is necessary to take account of a European court judgment of December 2008. The court's decision, in a case relating to the arrangements for the retention and destruction of DNA samples and profiles and fingerprints taken from people who are not charged or who are acquitted, was that indefinite retention should not be permitted. When the Bill is published, it will take account of that judgment. Work on this complex and comprehensive Bill is progressing. Great care is required during the drafting of the Bill. The Minister hopes to try to have it published before the end of this session.

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