Vol. 501 No. 1
142 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in supplying a death certificate to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; his views on whether three and a half months delay is fair to a person in distress; and if he will give an explanation for the delay in issuing the certificate. [5422/99]
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 I understand that a post-mortem examination was carried out in respect of the death referred to by the Deputy but that the report of the post-mortem cannot be finalised until the results of tests have been furnished by the histopathology department of Waterford Regional Hospital. The Deputy will appreciate that the provision of services in the histopathology department at Waterford Regional Hospital is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The health board is committed to the continued development of these services in consultation with my Department, having regard to overall resources available and the board's many competing priorities, In this regard I am aware that the South-Eastern Health Board has recently held interviews for the appointment of a fourth consultant histopathologist for the region.
When the report of the above mentioned 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 she/he determines that an inquest is necessary, the registrar must await the issue of a coroners certificate before registering the death. If the coroner decides that an inquest is not required she/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.
