Seamus Kirk
Ceist:45 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the Coroners Act, 1962, and the duties and responsibilities pertaining to the appointment of coroners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16264/96]
Vol. 470 No. 1
45 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice if she will review the Coroners Act, 1962, and the duties and responsibilities pertaining to the appointment of coroners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16264/96]
72 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Justice the role of each Department, the local authorities and the health boards in the implementation of the Coroners Act, 1962, the plans, if any, she has to consolidate responsibility; whether she intends amending the Coroners Act, 1962, if so, when; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16608/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 72 together.
The legislation in relation to corners is mainly contained in the Coroners Act, 1962, and various statutory orders. There are 49 coroners in the State — some counties being sub-divided into two or more coroner's districts. There are roughly 1,200 inquests conducted each year by coroners.
A coroner is a statutory officer exercising quasi-judicial functions, in relation to which he/she is independent. A coroner is responsible for deciding if a post mortem examination and/or inquest is required in any particular case and for the conduct of an inquest if one is deemed necessary. To be considered for appointment as a coroner the applicant must be (a) a practising barrister or solicitor of at least five years standing or (b) a registered medical practitioner for at least five years. Coroners are required to retire on reaching 70 years of age.