Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

——and one hopes it is absolutely reliable when letters are registered. The provision in question is a good one because there can be difficulties in serving summonses by hand. For example, witnesses have to be sought out individually. It is necessary and sensible to provide that coroners can examine witnesses under oath. I wonder why such a provision has not always been part of the process. Similarly, it is right that coroners will be allowed to order the production of any document.

I welcome the increased penalties — larger fines and terms of imprisonment of up to six months — which will be applied under this legislation if witnesses or jurors fail to attend an inquest or refuse to take the oath. I specifically welcome the provision whereby a person who is called as a witness, but fails to co-operate properly with the coroner, can be found to be in contempt and have penalties imposed on him or her as a consequence. It will also be possible for a coroner to go to the High Court to seek an order to ensure that there is compliance. Stricter penalties can be imposed for contempt of the High Court. That is a good provision.

The Minister has kept us busy during the past 12 months an I am sure the spokespersons on justice will concur. Sometimes he belies his reputation where he takes a Bill introduced by an Opposition party and it is testament to the manner in which he treats the House. He is accommodating to all sides of the House in regard to suggestions made or amendments tabled. He evaluates them and if he considers they are worthy of inclusion he is prepared to take them on board. His explanations to the House are expansive on all matters coming before us. He fully utilises the Houses of the Oireachtas in the manner for which they were intended as a forum for democracy. I wish to put that on the record because——