Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that measures will be taken to address this backlog. I welcome that there will be recruitment of extra personnel.

While it may not get much media coverage Forensic Science Ireland carries out a highly important role.

The drugs section of the laboratory primarily deals with two types of cases: section 3 prosecutions, which are for simple possession of drugs and section 15 prosecutions, which are for possession with intent to supply. As the Minister mentioned in his answer, sometimes the matter can be speeded up because in respect of section 3 offences, when a suspect has drugs for their personal use, gardaí have the six months and sometimes an individual who has them can admit or accept they were in possession of illegal drugs. However, where they do not, obviously the Garda is working under a very tight six-month time limit within which it must get the drugs tested and get the prosecution commenced. If it does not do that, the matter cannot be tried summarily which is how most personal possession drug cases are dealt with.

I welcome that extra personnel are being recruited, but the Government needs to recognise the crucial role of Forensic Science Ireland and it needs to be adequately resourced into the future.

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