Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 7: To ask the Minister for Justice; Equality and Law Reform the number of recommendations made by a person (details supplied) in relation to the State's forensic science laboratory facility that have yet to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19418/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In 2006 Professor Ingvar Kopp, the former head of the Swedish Forensic Science Laboratory, was engaged by my Department to review the resource needs of the Forensic Science Laboratory and his report was published in January 2008.

His review has been of immense value to the laboratory's modernisation process. It has contributed greatly to the mapping out of the future development of the State's forensic science analysis service, especially in the area of DNA analysis. Overall, the review found that the laboratory compares well in terms of productivity with similar forensic science laboratories in other jurisdictions and that effective quality control mechanisms are in place.

The primary recommendations of the review include the construction of a new modern laboratory built to world-class standards, the establishment of a sophisticated DNA database to meet national and international obligations and to greatly up-skill our domestic response to detecting and prosecuting crime, and the provision of improved technical, professional and administrative staffing resources.

Considerable progress is being made in the implementation of the recommendations. For example, 12 new forensic scientists and 14 new laboratory analysts have been recruited. Further administrative staff, including an assistant principal IT manager, have been assigned to the laboratory. The overall authorised staffing complement of the laboratory has increased by more than 30 posts since December 2006. This substantial extension of the Forensic Science Laboratory's capacity represents an increase of almost 50% in approved staffing.

Planning for the implementation of the DNA database is continuing, although the database cannot be established until the legislation that is currently before this House is enacted. I have allocated €4.1 million to facilitate the development of the database-----

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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How much?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have allocated €4.1 million.

Work is under way to provide as a priority a new purpose-built facility for the Forensic Science Laboratory. Deputies will be aware that the site is located at the Backweston Complex in Kildare adjacent to the State Laboratory and to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's Agrilabs. This world-class state-of-the-art facility is a major public investment and will facilitate the effective operation of the criminal justice system - including the DNA database - for many generations to come.

The Office of Public Works is managing the delivery of the project on behalf of my Department, and I am advised that a Part 9 planning application for the new facility is currently with Kildare County Council. It is expected that the tender for construction phase will commence in the coming months with a view to work starting on the site around the end of the year.

I have kept a close eye on the project, and the OPW has the resources in its current budget to begin it once the tenders come through.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I impress on the Minister the importance of proceeding with the project, with particular reference to organised crime and so-called gangland activities in Dublin and beyond. The Minister referred to resources, and I welcome the fact that those have been set aside.

The Minister mentioned appointments. He will be aware that Professor Kopp recommended 40 new posts at the State Forensic Laboratory. I know that 20 have been approved-----

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It was 30.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Thirty have been approved?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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No - Professor Kopp said 30.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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So ten posts remain. My understanding is that he said 40. A full quota is needed if the DNA database is to be operable.

I ask the Minister to comment on remarks by Professor Kopp to the effect that one in three DNA and drug samples sent for testing by the Gardaí was not being processed. He concluded that crime detection was suffering as a result, which is a fairly obvious conclusion. He also remarked that Garda intelligence in vital areas was being lost. What steps are being taken to ensure the drug samples sent for testing are all being processed?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My understanding is that he recommended 30 posts, and we have more than 30 extra people, which is a 50% increase in the staffing complement in a short time. This is a good story, because the resources were put in place, and so many staff were employed that they had to move out into an extended location. It is a good thing that so many people are working in the laboratory, albeit in two locations. That is why we need a new location.

On the issue of examination by the Garda, Professor Kopp was dealing with the historical issue. There has been big investment in the past two years, and I am not aware of any problems.

My Department has taken a hit in other soft areas, as they are known, for which the Deputy has criticised me in the House. However, I make no apology for targeting the resources I have as much as possible on the fight against crime, which is one reason I have ensured that substantial resources are available to the Forensic Science Laboratory.