Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that there is no financial cost that is comparable to the cost of losing a life. I accept the point, but in order for me to see the project go ahead, I must see a final cost for it. There will be significant capital and current costs involved in a system that will be integrating two other systems which currently handle hundreds of thousands of cases each year and are integral to how this part of the justice system works. Whatever is recommended must meet two criteria. First, I must know what the cost will be. We must be satisfied once that cost is in place that it is an appropriate use of taxpayers' money. Second, we must put in place a system that will work at least as well as what is in place, although we obviously want to do something that will work a great deal better. I will do what I have said and communicate again to the working group in this area my intention to see this work completed promptly to ensure we put in place a system that will address the issue of which the Deputy and I are aware.

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