Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2016
265. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her offices were contacted by the coroner in the case of a person (details supplied); the advice given regarding the decision to consider treating the death of a pregnant woman as being the death of two persons; the legislative basis of a foetus being afforded the legal rights of a person; what she proposes to do about it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4064/16]
View answerThis particular case had come to my Department's notice due to questions raised regarding the legislation dealing with the registration of deaths in utero. The Coroners' functions regarding issue of death certificates is covered by the Civil Registration Act 2004 which falls under the remit of the Department of Social Protection.
It is important to note that a Coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions in relation to which he or she is independent. Neither I as Minister for Justice and Equality nor my Department has any role in the conduct of or findings in individual cases.
