Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, to the House. I would like first to focus on the value of forensic work in combatting crime. In regard to local crime such as burglary, when word gets around in a local area that gardaí are engaged in forensic work there is generally a fall off in this type of activity. Burglars know that forensic evidence at the scene of local crimes may lead to a court case and conviction. The fear of being caught and convicted is a real deterrent. In this context, the use of forensics is a valuable tool.

I would like now to speak about forensic work on a national level. During the past 20 years, the context and character of crime in Ireland has changed fundamentally. Gun use, pipe bombs and kidnappings were largely introduced and perfected by the IRA in Northern Ireland. These practices have spilled over across the Border and are now, regrettably, common place here. In this evolving and frightening scenario, all legitimate resources must be provided for the Garda. It is in this context that I particularly welcome the Minister's initiative to establish a DNA database. I believe it will prove invaluable in the fight against serious crime, particularly those categories of crimes that have evolved here over the past 15 to 20 years.

I welcome the Minister's guarantees in relation to the management, supervision and safeguarding of this proposed new resource. I welcome also his guarantees in regard to the safeguarding of individual rights and dignity. I wish the Minister well with this particular initiative.

With this and many other initiatives, he has proved himself an innovative Minister.

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