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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 4

Written Answers. - Coroner Service.

Billy Timmins

Question:

194 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to bring in measures to ensure that family members and relatives of a suicide victim will have privacy at the coroner's inquest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3884/02]

I can inform the Deputy that in accordance with the provisions of the Coroners Act, 1962, a coroner is a statutory officer exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions, in relation to which he or she is independent.

While I appreciate the issues which arise for the families and relatives of a suicide victim, I am informed by coroners that an inquest is, by definition, a public inquiry into a death and must therefore be held in public. I am informed, however, that coroners seek to handle such cases as sensitively as possible within the constraints of the law in this area.

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