Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note that the State Laboratory is taking on the work of carrying out tests on behalf of coroners which was previously done in Beaumont Hospital. It is also assisting in the testing of a drug for horses and testing for petrol stretching. I hope the latter work will lead to prosecutions. In regard to the testing carried out for coroners, I ask for further information on the timescale.

Everyone gets upset about the length of time it takes in many cases to get a coroner's report depending on the nature of the death. The State Laboratory says that it has reduced the waiting period significantly since 2013. However, we are all aware coroners say it regularly takes a year to get a coroner's report. I have no problem if the State Laboratory or the Minister, through his office, want to send a note to the committee. However, the detail might be fleshed out a little bit further. The delay associated with coroners is a big issue for many people.