asked the Minister for Justice the arrangements, if any, which are being made by his Department or by the Garda to provide laboratory facilities for the carrying out of DNA fingerprinting in this country in order that this process can be used by gardaí as a means of identifying criminal offenders.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - DNA Fingerprinting.
2.
The question of the possible use of the technique referred to in the fight against crime is at present being examined by staff of the Forensic Science Laboratory of my Department.
Will the Minister acknowledge that this new technique, DNA fingerprinting, can make a unique contribution in the criminal investigative process. It has been shown in a recent rape case in England that the use of this technique led to the identification of the person who committed the crime. Will the Minister, as a matter of urgency, expedite the studies that are taking place and make arrangements for the necessary laboratory and forensic facilities to be provided to the Garda so that they can make use of DNA fingerprinting?
The Deputy will know that we had a debate recently in this House on legislation dealing with this matter in which it was discussed at length by us. We are all conscious of the advances being made in this area. I would like to assure the Deputy that the Forensic Science Laboratory personnel of my Department are also conscious of this and they have been very much involved in finding out how best this system can be used and they are examining it at present. They have a list of problems to deal with but they are confident that their competency will enable them to overcome any problems that arise. The Government will be delighted to help them to get this underway as soon as possible.
The development of this technique is even more important to development in the area of forensic investigatory techniques than the original discovery of the fingerprinting technique at the start of this century in the sense that if someone who is alleged to have committed a crime leaves a skin scraping, blood or even a hair at the scene of the crime that can ultimately lead to the person being identified. In that sense we should seek to ensure that we have the necessary facilities available here as rapidly as possible.
The Forensic Science Laboratory personnel of the Department of Justice recognise and appreciate the urgency which we in this House and the Government attach to this matter. They have been assured we will give them any help we can in the operation of the system. It is an important matter. It is one that requires urgency and priority and it will be afforded same.
The resources will be made available to them?
There is never any difficulty about resources in the Department of Justice.
I hope the Minister will say that in a few minutes when I ask him a question.
Did the Minister say never?
I said hardly ever. Deputy Taylor should wait until his question is reached.