Professor Denis Cusack:

People believe coroners live in prehistoric caves. The justice plan for 2022 has the reforms as a priority. Even though the report of the coroner's rules committee is not statutory, we have been following the recommendations. We hold twice yearly educational meetings and often the legal coroners help with the education of medical coroners. I assure the committee that we are aware of the weaknesses, deficiencies and defects in the system and we are trying to address them. Like everybody else, as professionals we know we can always learn and do better. We must never become arrogant or out of touch. We could do with support for the reforms, as everybody has agreed. We would do an even better job.

For my sins I am president of a European forensic body. Covid has kept me in office because we have to meet in person in general assembly to change roles. I have been stuck in office for the past two years when I should have vacated it. I know what international death investigation systems are. I know what they are like in the civil system in the non-common law world. I have listed four papers with regard to international bodies. Without being complacent and without in any way being smug I can say the Irish death investigation system is very good. It has deficiencies and is in need of reform, which we must recognise. We must also compliment our system, including the legal representatives who come before coroners, whom I always welcome. They are very important when families need this form of assistance. I would like to see a better civil legal aid system and criteria introduced.