I have already referred to this matter on Second Stage. I wanted to briefly refer to the facilities available for the county coroners to do their job and the fact that, unfortunately, they have to use the city coroner's facilities. I did not hear a reply to that question at the time. Will the Minister comment on it?
SECTION 23.
Question proposed: "That section 23 stand part of the Bill".
There is a reference on line 2, page 20, to the remuneration of the coroner by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Is there provision under existing legislation for this or is it an extra charge on the county council?
I support Deputy Keogh's statements about the difficult conditions in which coroners operate at present. They apparently do not have secretarial facilities or a properly staffed office. This is a serious matter for another day's debate. In relation to the reference in this Bill, on what basis and under what legislation is the remuneration envisaged? Is this putting extra responsibility on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council without providing it with any extra finance?
I may stretch your patience a little, Chairman. I wanted to ask a question on amendment No. 22, in relation to the governing body of UCD. There is no provision for either the Fingal County Council or the South-Dublin County Council to nominate a member to the governing body of UCD. I know the UCD governing body has a——
We have already agreed section 22.
Perhaps the Minister will answer this. We have not stood much on ceremony during the day.
The county representation is particularly strong on the body. The Lord Mayor of Dublin is an ex-officio member and another member is elected by Dublin County Council. The latter will in future be appointed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. These other members are elected by the general council of the county councils. Is Deputy Gilmore happy now?
I have no power to direct the authority to provide these facilities. As far as I understand, we are making no change from the existing position with regard to remuneration.
The existing position appears to be abysmal. Perhaps the coroner did not request, or the council or the borough was not able to provide, extra facilities, but it needs urgent investigation and a certain standard upheld in terms of the service given.
I merely said that I did not have the authority to request the provision of these types of facilities. I accept that, in a modern age, more acceptable arrangements must be put in place. I will undertake to have further discussions with the Minister for Health in relation to how this can be achieved.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 24 to 29, inclusive, agreed to.