Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2004
21 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in implementing the report of the working group on the coroner service published in December 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12685/04]
View answerIn line with a commitment I gave when I met representatives of the Coroners Society of Ireland, I intend to bring a proposal to Government this year, for a short Bill to amend the Coroners Act of 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 its report, is required in the medium term.
