Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I can understand the Minister's concerns but the Bill was drafted to ensure that where there are maternal deaths, an inquest is held. That is my understanding of the Bill. I am aware of maternal deaths in my own locality where the husband, as it was in those cases, had to fight tooth and nail to have an inquest held. I am aware of two cases where it took some time and a lot of persuasion to ensure that the inquest was held. Deputy Clare Daly's amendment is reasonable in the sense that people will not have to go through that trauma to make sure that an inquest is held. As it stands, the coroner has the option based on the autopsy to decide whether or not to have an inquest. I agree with the other members that it is a bit loose and needs to be tightened up.