Vol. 541 No. 2
127 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends introducing regulations to minimise the delay in the issuing of death certificates in cases where inquests are scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16359/01]
As the Deputy will be aware, a final coroner's certificate is issued only when an inquest has been completed. From the relatives' perspective, there is, therefore, a practical requirement for a certificate of death to issue as soon as possible after death. In practice, coroners usually issue an interim death certificate or some written confirmation of the fact of death in advance of the inquest.
Arising from the recommendations of the report of the working group on the review of the coroner service, I intend to put such interim documents on a statutory basis. The criteria for issuing these documents will be examined in detail by the proposed rules committee; this was also recommended by the working group. That committee is expected to meet within the next few weeks.
