Vol. 557 No. 1
408 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce legislation to compel a person who is in custody under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, or section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, to supply a blood sample; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21421/02]
As the Deputy is aware certain bodily samples can be taken for the purpose of forensic testing from persons suspected of certain criminal offences in lawful detention in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence) Act, 1990. The consent of the person concerned is required for the taking of blood and certain other intimate bodily samples. However, section 3 of the Act also provides that a court may draw such inferences from a refusal to supply a sample as appear proper and the refusal may be capable of amounting to corroboration of any evidence in relation to which the refusal is material. I have no proposals to change the law in this respect.
409 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform if he will prioritise the planning and construction aspects of the new Garda station for Leixlip, County Kildare, under his Department's building programme priority list under the garda building programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21495/02]
I have been informed by the Office of Public Works that it is close to completing the purchase of a site for a new Garda station in Leixlip. Once this has been achieved, the building of a new station will be progressed with all due urgency and in accordance with overall priorities within the Garda building programme and the availability of financial and other resources.
