Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When will we see the Coroners Bill in the House? Does the Bill make any provision for sanction if a coroner does not perform his or her duty? Will there be a way of measuring how that duty is performed in terms of his or her interaction with the family, including taking expert evidence that may be suggested by the family in order for them to get answers?

While we disagree with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, on many things, he has a consistent track record of involving victims and promoting the rights of families of victims. In that context this matter is very urgent. Families who are traumatised and suffering enormous grief should not have to go to the courts to get answers. I hope the Minister will use some of the findings from this case to enhance the Coroners Bill to give the families of victims, particularly in a murder case, a better standing and respect. The Minister should look at the issue of media treatment of cases, particularly before a formal inquest gets under way, to ensure the rights of families are respected up to and during the inquest process.

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