199 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the total number of forensic tests carried out for court purposes since 1 January 1995, to date: the number of tests deemed ineligible because of delays incurred in having the tests carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4456/96]

9,879 cases were sent to the forensic science laboratory for anlaysis in the period 1 January, 1995 to 22 February, 1996. The number of forensic tests carried out in each case can vary from three to 300, with an average estimated 25 tests per case. On this basis the total number of tests carried out in that period was about 250,000.

I am not aware of any court case being lost solely through delay in carrying out tests.