In line with a commitment I gave when I met representatives of the Coroners Society of Ireland, I hope to be in a position to bring a proposal to Government, early this year, for a short Bill to amend the Coroners Act 1962 so as to deal with a certain number of critical issues that need to be addressed as a priority. These concern the ending of the restriction on the number of medical and other witnesses at an inquest, increased sanctions for those who might refuse to co-operate at an inquest and a more coherent restatement of the scope of the provisions for mandatory inquests, which will include all deaths in custody. I remain conscious that a suitably more comprehensive reform of the coroners service, taking due account of the recommendations of the review group and developments since, is required in the medium term.