Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
260. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on her plans to review the legislation governing the Coroner Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19754/15]
View answerThe Coroners Bill 2007 provides for a comprehensive reform of the Coroners Act 1962 and of the coroner system, including the establishment of a new Coroner Service. It incorporates many of the recommendations made by the Coroners Review Group in 2000, and by the Coroners Rules Committee in 2003, as well as a detailed review of reforms to coronial systems in other common-law jurisdictions (particularly New Zealand and Northern Ireland).
I can confirm to the Deputy that a review of the Coroners Bill 2007 is underway, at my request, with a view to developing a plan for its progression.
The 2007 Bill is being reviewed in light of a number of developments since its publication including
- changed public finances;
- increased emphasis on delivering leaner, better integrated and more customer-focused public services; and
- developing coroner practice and caselaw, particularly on the application to coroners' inquests of Art. 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
As finalising the review is dependent on competing legislative priorities, I am not in a position, at present, to give an indication of a timeframe for this project.
