Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
1173 Deputy Mary Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his views regarding a designated purpose built Coroners Court in view of the current situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33755/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Coroner is an independent office holder with responsibility under the law for the medicolegal investigation into the circumstances of sudden, unexplained, violent and unnatural deaths.
The Dublin County Coroner currently avails of certain hotel facilities when conducting formal inquests. The Coroner has advised my Department that he endeavours to ensure that the set-up is appropriate in the context of the needs of grieving family members, and that in his experience, the arrangement is more suitable than the previous arrangement whereby inquests were held in Tallaght and Dun Laoghaire courthouses. While my Department has asked the Coroner to keep the location for holding inquests under review, there are no proposals, in the current economic climate, to provide a custom-built coronial facility in the Dublin county area.
The reform of the Coroner Service is addressed in the Coroners Bill 2007 which is currently before the Seanad. This provides for updating of the law in regard to coronial practice, a reorganisation of coronial districts and a restructuring of the system which would contribute to an enhanced service to the public.
