Funding for Forensic Science Laboratory

Madam, - I refer to last Monday's Editorial on resources at the Forensic Science Laboratory, and to the earlier reporting of…

Madam, - I refer to last Monday's Editorial on resources at the Forensic Science Laboratory, and to the earlier reporting of the Kopp report. It is surprising that your coverage of a 40 per cent increase in resources for the laboratory should be so overwhelmingly negative.

Recruitment to fill the new positions has taken place throughout 2007 and a major new campaign will be announced shortly. Five new scientists have already been appointed, as well as eight analysts, not one as stated in your Editorial. Nor is it the case that this report has been "concealed", nor that the Government is "walking away from its responsibilities".

The report has been available for some time to key stakeholders, including staff representatives, since last autumn. The Minister simply took that view that it would be preferable to have the necessary sanction for additional staff in place and recruitment arrangements under way before putting the report fully into the public domain. He has acted on the report's recommendations. It is disappointing that your Editorial chose to ignore this. - Yours, etc,

DALE SUNDERLAND, Press Officer, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.