The Justice Minister says he hopes to get the new DNA database up and running by next year.

Alan Shatter has published the legislation which will provide for those convicted of serious crimes to be compelled to provide a DNA sample.

He has denied it is an attack on human rights, adding that it is a necessary tool in the fight against serious crime.

Minister Shatter admits the DNA could also be shared across the European Union.

Luke O'Neill is Professor of Bio-Chemistry and director of the Trinity Bio-Medical Sciences Institute at TCD. He explains how it would work.