andMr. S. Dunne asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the fact that burial of a deceased person can take place without the production of a death certificate; and if he would consider it more desirable that burial be contingent on the production of a death certificate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Death Certificates.
28.
I am aware that burial can take place without a death certificate and I deplore the fact. Some time ago I decided that a complete revision of the births and deaths registration code was essential and the necessary preparatory examination is now almost completed. The Deputies may take it that this point will be covered in any Bill which may be introduced.
Surely the views of bereaved people are entitled to very careful consideration? I was glad to hear the Minister's views. Will there be special facilities for the issue of a certificate to the undertakers or to some person who can go about it in an expeditious way, without imposing on the bereaved the additional burden of making the funeral arrangements and having to go to the Registration Office to get a death certificate, possibly forgetting it, and being told on the day of the funeral that it cannot proceed? That would impose on them an almost intolerable burden of woe.
I fully agree with the Deputy. Helped by Deputies, I will see to it that this procedure is as simple as possible. I will be amenable to any suggestions.
It is a matter the Minister will have to consider at his leisure.
Yes. We will do anything we can to reduce the burden on the bereaved.
The point of my question was that when a person dies, a doctor must diagnose that fact and issue a death certificate. I did not ask about registration of death. I asked about the issue of a death certificate by a private doctor in the case of a person who has died—not about registration of death which, by law, must take place within a period of 15 days from the date of death.
That is a matter for the Minister for Justice.