Mary Henry (Independent)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House for a discussion on the office of the State pathologist. For decades, Professor Jack Harbison carried a great burden dealing with all the cases of murder, manslaughter and other crimes. Dr. Marie Cassidy is apparently now being asked to do exactly the same. The position of a deputy State pathologist was promised years ago. I gather from today's newspapers that the advertisements for this post are not yet published for some reason that was not made clear by the Department. We will lose the State pathologist if we do not get someone to share her work burden.

Several Senators have mentioned the rising level of violence and it is impossible for one person to adequately cover the cases that we have. In every murder and manslaughter case that comes before the courts, one sees the importance of forensic pathology. Cases can stand or fall on this evidence. I would be glad if the Leader would ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to give the House an understanding of what he considers to be the importance of the office.