Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has welcomed the publication of the bill establishing a new national DNA database.
Commissioner Murphy described it as a major step forward in helping bring to justice the perpetrators of what he called 'heinous crimes'.
The bill enables samples to be taken and retained from suspects in serious crime.
The bill also requires everyone in prison, on temporary release, everyone serving suspended sentences for serious offences and anyone on the Sex Offenders Register to give a DNA sample.
A separate part of the database will be used to identify unknown or missing persons.
The DNA database bill published today means that everyone arrested for a serious offence can be required to give a DNA sample.
A profile generated from that sample will then be placed on the new database, along with samples collected at crime scenes.
The analysis of the material on the database can be used to indicate a link between the person and a crime or crimes and as evidence in a criminal trial.
While the samples will in the main be destroyed after three years, DNA profiles from suspects can be held for a decade and indefinitely from those convicted of serious crimes – those with sentences of at least five years.
People can apply for earlier destruction, while the Garda Commissioner can apply for an extension.
DNA cannot be taken from children under 14.
A committee headed by a judge will oversee the operation of the database, which will be set up and run by the Forensic Science Laboratory.
A separate part of the database will be used to trace and identify unknown or missing persons - this cannot be cross referenced with the criminal part.
Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern says it will give the gardaí access to intelligence on a scale and of a quality that has never before been available in this country.
Murphy defends gardaí over gangland
Separately, Commissioner Murphy strongly rejected criticism of the gardaí for failing to enforce the recent criminal justice legislation to help tackle gangland crime.
Speaking at the launch of a community policing initiative in Ballybane, just outside Galway city, Mr Murphy said gardaí were working very diligently since the new laws were enacted and that a number of high profile cases had been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
These cases would take time to be considered by the DPP, he said, but the process had been started. In the meantime, he said, gardaí were gathering evidence in a number of other cases which could be used for future prosecutions.
In relation to the decision of the Garda Representative Association to withdraw its threat of industrial action over pay and conditions, the Garda Commissioner said the GRA were not alone in feeling the impact of cutbacks in pay.
He said that the association was rightfully fulfilling its remit to look after its members on industrial relations issues.
On the options outlined in a questionnaire distributed to members, including full withdrawal of service if other unions go on strike, he refused to be drawn other than to say 'let's see what happens'.
Commissioner Murphy has previously issued warnings to the GRA, on the advice of the Attorney General, that such a course of action would be illegal.
