Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2013
153. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of fees paid to experts in an inquest (details supplied) listing the names of the experts, their qualifications and the amount being paid to them to date; the amount that is expected to be paid to them in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19557/13]
View answerUnder the Coroners Act, 1962, a Coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions in relation to which he/she is independent and neither I nor my Department has any role in the conduct of any inquest, including the calling of any witnesses. I understand that the Coroner, Dr. Ciarán MacLoughlin, called a number of expert witnesses to assist the inquest in the case referred to by the Deputy. The Local Authority, in consultation with the coroner, is responsible for paying fees and expenses relating to inquests. A breakdown of the fees is not yet available, but I will arrange to have details forwarded to the Deputy in due course.
