Coroners Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Questions (484)

Joan Collins

Question:

484. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that post mortem examinations are not carried out in Sligo on weekends; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if a person dies in Sligo on a Friday and a post mortem is required by law the deceased person is transported to Navan, County Meath for the autopsy; if it has been brought to his attention that the cost of transporting the remains of a person to Navan for an autopsy can be in the region of €800 and that the necessity on occasions to have a garda travel to Navan to be present at the autopsy to identify the remains also puts a strain on Garda resources; if there are any guidelines in place with regard to such matters; if the coroner is responsible for the operation of such post mortem examinations; the Department, agency or authority that provides the funding to cover the cost of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17724/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The arrangements made for the carrying out of post-mortems are a matter for the relevant coroner. In this context the Deputy will appreciate that a coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions in relation to which he or she is independent and neither I nor my Department has any role in the coronial process in particular cases. The costs associated with the provision of services for coroners are met by local authorities.