Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The Deputy will appreciate that, because of the independence of coroners, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the approach taken by an individual coroner. The duty of a coroner is to accurately record the cause of death and it is crucially important that he or she do so.

In so far as reform is required in this area of the law, the Bill my predecessor published is being reviewed in my Department. The Deputy is welcome to make a contribution to its further development because some aspects need to be amended, while further reforms will be brought forward.

It is important that family members are treated with insight and sensitivity when a death occurs, whether as a result of suicide or otherwise. Services are, of course, available within the HSE to provide assistance and counselling for families who suffer bereavement as a consequence of suicide.

I would welcome the Deputy's contributing to the work we are doing on the Coroners Bill. I would be happy to engage with him in that context.

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