Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

As I indicated in my Second Stage speech, I am disposed towards increasing the scope of the coroner's inquest to cover surrounding circumstances of death. Deputy Ó Snodaigh will appreciate, however, that to do this and to do justice to a widened coronial function of this kind and enable jurors to consider these issues properly, we need support services and a reform of the coroner service to create a system which will live up to the remit the Oireachtas has conferred upon it. I want to reorganise the coroner service; establish a support service; have reasonable districts; create circumstances in which the Coroner's Court will function; have a jury service which is properly provided for; and provide the full range of supports necessary for a widened remit for the Coroner's Court.

While amendments Nos. 3 and 4 are sensible in principle, I do not want to attempt to put new wheels on the car without first checking that the engine and brakes work and the driver knows the new wheels have been fitted.

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