Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before the Minister responds, there was one related matter about which I am anxious. Where an inquest has been denied and it is very definitely the view of the bereaved that an inquest is important and necessary, the process for appeal, as I understand it, currently takes place through the Attorney General. Can the Minister clarify whether that is the case? I have a sense that this merits serious reconsideration. Let there be no mistake; the Attorney General is a politically vulnerable individual who sits at the Cabinet table and is open to the vagaries of the political system. That office or officeholder does not strike me as being independent in every respect. Has any consideration been given to this matter in the drafting of the Bill? If not, I reserve the right, as the Minister has done, to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage if colleagues feel it is appropriate to do so. I would appreciate whatever light the Minister can shine on that matter.