It is very welcome news that tenders have been issued for the building of a new forensics laboratory which will see a €60 million investment in the site in Backweston, Celbridge.

When completed this project will deliver a respected and admired laboratory to investigate DNA in line with international standards in the state.  To have this €60 million investment in Celbridge is very welcome news and continues the trend of having state of the art research centres in the town along with the Laboratory Services of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which is already in place.

Locally it will bring many jobs, both during construction phase and when up and running. Currently the lab is located at Garda HQ in Dublin and I am delighted to see it move to us here in Kildare North. As my party spokesperson on Science and Technology I will keep the pressure on the Government to ensure this project moves swiftly.