Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
83. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how unclaimed deceased remains are treated by the State; the laws which govern the burial of deceased persons whose remains are unclaimed by family members or relatives; the annual figures of unclaimed deceased here over the past decade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12777/16]
View answerThe legislation governing Coroners is the Coroners Act, 1962. Under this legislation a coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions, in relation to which he or she is independent. A Coroner is responsible for all coronial matters in his or her district. The Deputy will appreciate that neither I nor my Department has any role in the conduct of individual cases or in the burial of the remains of a deceased person.
