Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will reconsider giving approval for DNA testing on recent skull and bone finds off the Wexford coast as these finds are in the vicinity of Hook Head where there were a number of fishermen fatalities in 2007; if he will allow the tests to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54420/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that pathological, anthropological, carbon dating, geographic and investigative enquiries have been conducted in respect of the remains found off Hook Head. Despite numerous attempts by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to extract DNA from the remains in an effort to generate DNA profiles, all attempts to date have proved unsuccessful.

I am advised that the extraction of DNA profiles from bones that have been in water for a long period of time is extremely difficult as the sea has been found to cause extensive degrading of Nuclear DNA over time. In this regard, I am advised that Garda enquiries with the FSL indicate that further tests outside the jurisdiction may not necessarily be any more successful than testing that has taken place to date in the FSL. I am also informed that new profiling technology will be introduced at the FSL, in early 2013, and it is expected that further tests will be carried out on the remains discovered off the Wexford coast using this technology.

I am very much aware of the concerns which have been expressed in relation to these remains and my Department has conveyed these concerns to the Garda authorities. I am confident that in cases of missing persons, whether at sea or on land, An Garda Síochána does all in its power to assist families of those who have been lost and, in particular, would contact families when they have any information of substance to impart. The Government is committed to the early establishment of a DNA Database to assist An Garda Síochána in the investigation of crime. The Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill, which will provide for the establishment and operation of the database, is currently being drafted and I expect to be in a position to publish the Bill this session with a view to its enactment in 2013.