Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The Government has been quiet on this matter to date. It has sat back and waited for the Competition Authority to do its job. Only when we see prosecutions in courts and people accounting for their criminal actions therein will we believe the situation.

The coroners review group reported in 2002 and proposed a number of legislative changes in the way inquests and coroners' rights are applied in Irish courts. One glaring anomaly is that only two medical personnel can take part in a case in the Coroner's Court. The Labour Party leader, Deputy Rabbitte in the Lower House, has proposed straightforward amending legislation. It was published in the past 24 hours and all Members should have it. Will the Leader provide time between now and next week to ensure that Deputy Rabbitte's Bill, which deals exclusively with the issue of the Coroner's Court, will be expedited through this House rather than wait for the omnibus legislation the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is proposing? Many cases must be dealt with. It is an urgent matter that Deputy Rabbitte's Bill would resolve.