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Coroners Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Questions (550)

Niall Collins

Question:

550. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the process for appointing a coroner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5879/22]

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Written answers

The legislation governing the appointment of coroners is set out in the Coroners Act 1962, as amended. Section 8 of the Act makes provision for the appointment of coroners outside of the Dublin District. Coroners are appointed for particular districts within a local authority area by the local authority.

Subsection 6A of the Coroners Act 1962 as inserted by the Coroners (Amendment) Act 2019, provides that the Coroner for the District of Dublin shall be appointed by the Minister for Justice.

The Act also makes provision for the appointment of a Temporary/Acting Coroner in certain circumstances.

The main qualifying criteria for appointment as a coroner is that the person be a practising barrister or solicitor of at least five years' standing, or a registered medical practitioner who has been registered, other than provisionally or temporarily, under the Medical Practitioners Acts, 1927 to 1961, in the Register of Medical Practitioners for Ireland for at least five years.

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