Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)

I thank the Minister of State for that clarification on what is to happen. I am glad that parents will be written to asking them what they want to do with the cards. These cards contain extremely valuable information that has been collected for years. I would regard it as the forerunner to a volunteer database that could be very useful. I draw the attention of the House to the importance of keeping such samples. While I cannot give the exact detail, I recall that a number of years ago a very astute garda held on to samples from a murder scene because he believed that DNA evidence would at some stage be able to help solve crimes. His actions resulted in that crime being solved and led to a conviction. We need to be able to see beyond ten years and need to look much further into the future. I thank the Minister of State for her clarification.

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