A Bill providing for the establishment of a DNA database will be published later this year, the Government decided yesterday.
This follows the publication last year of a report from the Law Reform Commission on the subject, which was drawn up at the request of Attorney General Rory Brady. That report included a draft Criminal Justice (DNA Database) Bill.
The keeping of a database allows for DNA to be kept on electronic file from a number of categories of persons. These can include those convicted of serious crimes, those charged but not convicted, those who volunteer for the purpose of a specific investigation (and whose DNA would later be removed), as well as DNA samples from crime scenes. The samples allow crimes to be matched to each other and to individuals, and also allow individuals to be excluded from investigations.
When the report was published last November, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell, said he was convinced that such a database would make a significant contribution to the fight against crime.
"I am, however, aware of the complexity and sensitivity of the issues involved and was therefore keen to have the benefit of the Law Reform Commission's examination of the issue, including its views on the level of safeguards to be included, before proceeding with plans to establish the database," he said yesterday. "I have welcomed that report and will be paying close attention to its recommendations in the preparation of this Bill."