Criminal investigations to be hit by strike

Staff at the State’s forensic science laboratory are to engage in industrial action from the beginning of next month.

The 50 technical and professional staff, represented by the trade union IMPACT, are calling for the immediate implementation of a consultant's report.

The Deloitte and Touche document makes recommendations for dealing with a backlog of cases at the laboratory.

IMPACT spokesman Bernard Harbor says the Government has a responsibility to implement it.

"It’s sure to have an effect on criminal cases," he said, "but the point IMPACT is trying to make this morning is that already the work of the forensic science lab is being undermined because of shortages of staff and other problems.

"What we need is for the Government to implement it’s own report which it commissioned.

"Deloitte and Touche reported last March, and since then there’s been no movement on the recommendations which include extra staff, improved career structures and so on."