Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012
526 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of the Coroners Bill; when it is expected that it will reach Dáil Éireann; if he will report on the current main provisions contained in the bill and if a wide range of stakeholders were consulted in preparation for the bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21847/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Coroners Bill 2007 is before the Seanad having been restored to the Order Paper on my initiative. The Bill is in the course of being reviewed in my Department with a view, among other matters, to making it as cost-effective as possible. The Bill, as published, provides for the comprehensive reform of the existing legislation and structures relating to coroners and provides for the establishment of a new Coroner Service. The Bill incorporates many of the recommendations made by the Coroners Review Group in 2000 and the Coroners Rules Committee in 2003 and it aims to fulfil various obligations placed on the State by the European Convention on Human Rights and, particularly, the Article 2 requirement in relation to the investigation of deaths of persons involving the State.
The key elements of the Bill include—
enhancing inquiry and inquest processes,
establishing the office of Chief Coroner to provide leadership and direction in all coronial matters;
providing the necessary legal framework for the establishment of a new Coroner Service;
moving to a smaller number of full-time coroners;
statutory requirement to ensure that family members are notified at significant steps of the coronial process;
clarifying a specific regime for coroner post-mortem examinations, including provision for retention and release of body parts and bodily samples, and
promoting cooperation between coroners and other agencies also involved in investigations of deaths.
It would be my hope to progress the Coroners Bill this year.
The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 provides for some early reforms in coronial matters, including an amalgamation of the Dublin County and City coronial districts.
