Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update in relation to the proposition to merge the forensic laboratory into the State laboratory; if he will present his rationale for doing so; if he will indicate the anticipated savings if this merger proceeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42687/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason behind his proposal to merge the State Laboratory and Forensic Laboratory and move it to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39331/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that moving the Forensic Laboratory to his Department will result in a reduction of their ability to work effectively with their partners in the criminal justice system including the Garda Technical Bureau, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Criminal Courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39332/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 283, 299 and 300 together.

The proposed measure is one of 46 critical reviews of State bodies which are being undertaken as part of the Public Service Reform plan, published in November last year. TheDepartment of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently considering the reviews received by Departments.

In relation to critical review No.19 of the Agency Rationalisation Programme, the position is that the review of the merger of the Forensic Science Laboratory into the State Laboratory has been completed. The recommendation of the review will be considered in due course.