Vol. 549 No. 2
15 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to reported shortages of personnel and equipment in the Garda forensic laboratory; if delays are occurring arising from this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5409/02]
Discussions are ongoing between my Department and the union which represents staff in the Forensic Science Laboratory. These discussions are being carried out with a view to resolving the threatened dispute with members of IMPACT who are employed in the laboratory and with a view to the implementation of the recommendations contained in the consultant's report in relation to staffing and related matters. I hope that these discussions will lead to an early resolution of the matter.
I am unaware of any requests for equipment from the laboratory which have been unmet. Since 1975, when the laboratory was established, my Department has at all times provided the required scientific equipment to enable it to carry out its functions across a broad range of scientific activity. I am advised that the quality and range of scientific equipment currently available at the laboratory meets the best international standards in this area.
The number of cases on hand at the laboratory on 19 February was 10,152. In relation to the processing of cases, management of the laboratory has introduced a system whereby cases are prioritised on request from the Garda Síochána. In this context no prosecutions have been lost.
