Vol. 561 No. 5
246 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average timeframe between the death of a person necessitating an inquest and the holding of such inquest; his views on whether the timescale is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4813/03]
The timeframe between the death of a person and the holding of any necessary inquest is dependent on a number of factors, including the receipt by the coroner of the results of the post mortem, the receipt by the coroner of results of any tests carried out as part of the post mortem process and the question of whether a criminal prosecution is being considered. In these circumstances it is not possible to give an average timeframe.
The Deputy will appreciate that coroners are employed by the relevant local authority to exercise quasi-judicial functions, in respect of which they are independent and it would, therefore, be improper for me to comment on the exercise of these functions.
247 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the practice on the part of coroners of keeping close relatives of a deceased informed of delays in the holding of inquests; his views on whether the practice is satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4814/03]
The Deputy will appreciate that coroners are employed by the relevant local authority to exercise quasi-judicial functions, in respect of which they are independent and it would, therefore, be improper for me to comment on the exercise of these functions.
