DNA database Bill critically important, says Shatter

The DNA database would strengthen the Gardas hand in solving crime and prosecuting those behind it, but was also an important piece of human rights legislation in strengthening the position of any person who was the victim of a miscarriage of justice, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said. Photograph: Getty Images

The introduction of new legislation providing for a DNA database is the most important that the Government will enact in its lifetime, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said.

The database would strengthen the Gardas hand in solving crime and prosecuting those behind it, but was also an important piece of human rights legislation in strengthening the position of any person who was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.

The existence of DNA databases in other countries has proved over the years to be of great assistance in identifying incidences of miscarriages of justice, Mr Shatter said as the Bill concluded Oireachtas committee stage this morning.

He added that having a database made up of DNA samples taken from convicted criminals and suspects for crimes would also enable the Republic to more fully co-operate with law enforcement authorities in other countries in solving crime with a cross-border dimension.

It will ensure that people involved in cross-border crime know there is maximum co-operation between police forces across Europe, that we can access information that is held in other EU states.

He said the DNA samples would be taken and held in accordance with European laws underpinned by human rights considerations.

The Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2013 completed committee stage this morning where a series of minor amendments were considered by the joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.

The Bill allows DNA samples to be taken from most people suspected of a crime, by force if needed, and creates rules around the period of retention of the sample on the database, depending on whether the individual is convicted or not and the seriousness of the offence.

Samples cannot be taken from children under 14 years of age.

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DNA database Bill critically important, says Shatter