Vol. 506 No. 6
89 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the long delays in holding inquests particularly in the case of suspected suicides; and the steps, if any, he will take to speed up the process and to introduce a protocol of procedures for the coroners courts dealing will suicide cases. [16043/99]
As the Deputy may be aware, I have no official responsibility concerning the holding or scheduling of inquests as coroners are independent in the exercise of their judicial, or quasi-judicial, functions.
As regards new procedures for coroners courts, in December last, the Government approved my proposals for the establishment of a working group to undertake a comprehensive review of the coroner service.
It is expected that its report, which will be available at the end of the year, will examine all aspects of the service including the matters referred to by the Deputy.
