The administration of the registration system, is statutorily a matter for An tArd-Chláraitheoir (Registrar-General) of Births, Deaths and Marriages and for the superintendent registrars and registrars who operate under his general direction.
I have had inquiries made with An tArd-Chláraitheoir and he has informed me that a post-mortem examination is being carried out in respect of the death referred to by the Deputy. It is understood that the examination cannot be finalised until the results of blood-tests have been furnished by the State Laboratory. When the report of the post-mortem becomes available, it will have to be decided if the death should be referred to the coroner or alternatively, if the death should be registered on the signature of a qualified informant and on the production of a medical certificate of cause of death signed by a medical practitioner. If the death is referred to the coroner and he determines that an inquest is necessary, the registrar must await the issue of a coroner's certificate before registering the death. If the coroner decides that an inquest is not required he will so advise the registrar and in these circumstances the death may be registered on foot of a medical certificate of cause of death.
