James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies who contributed to the debate. I welcome the general agreement on the importance of the Bill and getting it passed in a timely manner. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, certainly will bear in mind the various issues raised by the Deputies in preparation for Committee Stage examination of the Bill.

The changes made by this urgent Bill are important to ensure there is a sufficient number of coroners and an appropriate level of service for bereaved families. I concur with Deputy Mythen's comments about the need to put bereaved families at the centre of this reform. The situation is particularly acute in the Dublin coroners district, where, later this month, there will not be a sufficient number of coroners without the enactment of the Bill. Families who engage with the Coroner Service are often going through the most difficult time in their lives. The service provided by coroners around the country is important for bereaved family members in finding out the cause of death of their loved ones. The Coroner Service often helps family members reach some form of closure following the loss of a loved one. It is an important service to the living. It is critical that the Coroner Service is resourced with a sufficient number of coroners for the death investigation process to proceed uninhibited.

The public consultation process on the reform of the Coroner Service closed on 19 January. There was a significant level of input from the public and stakeholders involved in supporting the work of coroners. In the region of 300 submissions were received, which demonstrates the importance of the service to so many people in our communities. Officials in the Department of Justice are beginning the process of analysing responses provided in the consultation process. Early indications suggest that while legislative change certainly is needed, there is also much that can be done in the interim. Information provided to bereaved loved ones regarding the Coroner Service is an issue that will be addressed following the consultation exercise. When all the submissions have been assessed and analysed, proposals will be brought to the Government for consideration later this year to ensure we have a Coroner Service that is fit for the future.

Within the context of broader reform of the service, this Bill is a necessary amendment to ensure full-time, fixed-term coroners can be appointed to the Dublin district. Existing temporary arrangements in the district are inadequate to meet the current demand. The Bill, if enacted, will remedy the currently unsustainable position. The more robust measures to be introduced in the Bill will provide the stability required for a very busy district and will modernise existing provisions in legislation. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, will work closely with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, over the coming weeks to agree the appropriate number of coroners.

The Bill also provides for the appointment of temporary coroners in all districts nationally where additional coroners are required for the purpose of progressing death inquiries. Under existing legislation, the appointment of additional temporary coroners can only be made when there is a pandemic, catastrophic event or other occurrence leading to mass fatalities. The Bill provides for greater flexibility for temporary coroners to be appointed where the workload requires it.

This important and urgent Bill will ensure the Coroner Service in the Dublin district can continue to operate with an appropriate number of coroners. It will also ensure additional temporary coroners can be appointed to any district where a need to do so has been identified. With the co-operation of all sides of the House, it is the Minister's hope that, together, we can facilitate the swift passage of the Bill. The Government is determined that its passage will be a matter of priority.

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