Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. She will see that the motion reads that there is "the need for the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the position regarding the provision of a purpose-built forensic science laboratory on the previously identified site in Kildare following her correspondence to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality in this regard." I have been contacted by someone in Dublin West who works in this laboratory and is very familiar with the state of play.I thank the Minister of State for coming here to discuss the matter. The need for the provision of a purpose-built forensic science laboratory on the previously-identified site in Kildare is well established. In a letter last April to the chairman of the justice committee, Deputy David Stanton, the Minister outlined that the facilities are outdated and in need of modernisation. We know the provision of a modern, fit-for-purpose laboratory has been under consideration for some time. As such, could the Minister outline the current position in respect of the provision of this facility? The estimated cost of the project is €30 million to €40 million over a three-year period, or approximately €12 million per year over three years, and it seems there could be scope to bring this project forward at the earliest practical opportunity. I welcome the Minister of State's comments.