Vol. 504 No. 6
62 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which his Department can play a role in speeding up the issuing of post mortem results and death certificates to bereaved families in view of the fact a number have expressed their anxiety at the situation where a delay of up to eight to ten weeks is being experienced. [12490/99]
The issuing of post mortem results is a matter for the pathologist concerned and the relevant health agency. However, I am anxious that post mortem results are made available to bereaved families as quickly as possible consistent with the clinical requirements associated with individual cases, and, should the Deputy have concerns regarding a particular case or cases, it would be appropriate that he bring it to the attention of the agency concerned in the first instance.
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 death may be registered by a relative present at the death on foot of a medical certificate of cause of death signed by a registered medical practitioner who attended the deceased in his or her last illness. In the case of sudden death, where the cause of death was unclear or in the case of a death in suspicious circumstances, the death must be referred to the coroner. It is sometimes necessary to hold a post mortem examination before referring the death to the coroner. In these circumstances the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages must await the coroners certificate before registering the death. The coroner may decide that an inquest is necessary and not issue his or her certificate until after the inquest has made its findings. Alternatively the coroner may decide on the basis of the post mortem examination that an inquest is not required and will notify the Registrar of the particulars for the registration of the death.
