Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House. As the Fine Gael spokesman on justice, I am delighted to address this Bill.

I welcome the fact that the Minister has listed this legislation among one of his priorities. It was listed in the Government's legislative programme for 2003-04 and then it was to be available in 2005. The report of the working group on the review of the coroner service was produced in 2000, so this is really an important Bill which should have been available quite some time ago. I therefore welcome the fact that the present Minister is moving on this issue with despatch.

We welcome the Bill. It puts a professional and transparent structure on this whole service. In the context of inquests that arise, it involves issues in the most varied of circumstances which cause extraordinary distress to families of the deceased. The provisions in the Bill that deal expressly with notices to families of inquests and the involvement of families and interested persons in the process is to be welcomed. It is evident that the legislative basis of inquests had to be adjusted and updated in the light of European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence, and this is reflected in the Bill.

The widening of the scope of the inquest is a fundamental change and one we also support. Then there is the provision for legal aid in certain circumstances, again as required by the European Court of Human Rights. There is also the issue of inquests into deaths that occur outside the State. There have been cases where that has been an issue and it is good that this is reflected in the Bill.

Overall, it is an effort to adopt a professional approach to providing this service. Establishing a full-time service is the way to go and while we will deal with specific amendments on Committee Stage, the real issue is whether the resources will be put in place to implement the Bill's provisions, especially in terms of the transition to a full-time coroner service, the prompt conduct of examinations and tests and the reporting on tests to the interested parties. Perhaps the Minister will comment on that. I am also concerned that there should be a smooth transition from existing arrangements to the full-time service and that the Coroners Society of Ireland should facilitate that transition.

The Minister has sought the co-operation of all the Members and parties in this House. He will have the co-operation of Fine Gael in progressing the Bill. It is important legislation and we will give him our full co-operation in that process.