Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1178. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if she will seek a response to concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38359/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1178)
Written answers
I can advise the Deputy that Minister Harris responded to the correspondence in question in May, expressing sympathy for the family in question at their loss, and providing information in respect of the issues raised. The Deputy will appreciate that neither I not the Department has any role in the investigation of any individual case whether on the part of the Coroner or the Garda authorities.
My Department is deeply committed to supporting the families of missing persons, including the role played by National Missing Persons day in commemorating those who have gone missing and recognising the lasting trauma for their families and friends. The Day also draws attention to open or unsolved cases and creates an opportunity to provide information on available support services.
Building on that work, the Department of Justice established a forum in July 2021 alongside An Garda Síochána’s Missing Persons Unit and Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) to facilitate information exchange on unidentified remains.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department recently published records of Unidentified Remains. The data contains records of all Unidentified Remains reported by Coroners to the Minister for Justice. It is important to note that this should not be viewed as being a complete list of all Unidentified Remains which may lie within the state.
It is the intention that this information will be updated on an ongoing basis. A new question has also been added to the coroner’s annual returns whereby coroners will be asked to provide details of all unidentified human remains reported to them in the preceding year.
A number of the remains reported by the Coroners to the Department have not had DNA samples taken. I am aware that some exhumations have already been arranged for the purpose of taking DNA samples. My Department continues to publicly encourage more family members to participate in DNA testing.
Further, I am committed to bringing forward nationwide coroner review proposals to address identified issues and drive innovative change.
It is intended that a public consultation exercise be conducted later this year and prior to the development of proposals for comprehensive reform. The public consultation itself will seek views and opinions on matters such as the future structure of the coronial service and the role of a Chief Coroner within that structure.
To that end, my Department recently launched an Expressions of Interest seeking the participation of members of the public, who have engaged with the Coroner Service, in an Advisory Committee to support the consultation process. Members of the public will also be free to make submissions in respect of the Consultation itself once it is launched later this year.
Finally, in relation to erecting a memorial plaque, the earlier response to this correspondence suggested that the appropriate body to contact would be the relevant County Council, which can provide information in relation to this process.