Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 6

Written Answers. - Coroner Service.

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

52 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Justice the plans if any she has to amend the law in the public interest due to the widespread concern at the breakdown of the coroners system, where a person dies suddenly from natural causes, resulting in serious delays in holding of post mortems, bodies being transferred long distances to other hospitals for post mortems, long delays in relatives being notified of the cause of death and delays in the issue of death certificates and in the holding of inquests, where necessary, followed by further long delays in the issue of certificates of the cause of death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1352/97]

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

70 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to amend the law to introduce time limits into the Coroners Act, 1962, where a person dies suddenly from natural causes, in relation to the holding of a post mortem, the holding of an inquest and the issue of a certificate as to the cause of death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1353/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 70 together. As I indicated to the House last month, I am aware of the need to take an overall look at the coroner service and the demands currently being placed on it. As I further indicated at that time, I have agreed, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Howlin, that a study group should be set up which will have the task of examining a range of issues relating to the coroner service. The group will include representatives of the Departments of Finance, Justice, Environment and Health.

While the precise terms of reference for this study group have yet to be finalised, I anticipate that the review will focus on a broad range of issues which affect the coroner service including whether it would be practical to attach statutory time limits to coroner procedures.