Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In many ways, given the excitement that is going on around this place, this is an issue that brings us all back down to earth. The loss of a daughter or a grandchild is terrible for any family, particularly so when a grandfather loses his granddaughter and daughter in one tragic accident. While my expression of sympathy and empathy does not really help, I would still like to make it. I met the family in the House with Deputy Conway and Senator Walsh. I know this type of deep injury and the sense of loss probably never go away, and people just manage to live with them. I hope the Walsh and Enright families can, in many ways, move on with their lives, while always keeping Mary and Mollie very much in their thoughts. Those two families are very much in my thoughts today.

The loss of a child in any circumstances is an extremely sad experience for a family, and this case is especially tragic. It is important to say, in the first instance, that the Coroner Service and decisions made by coroners are matters for the Department of Justice and Equality. In a case where a coroner is involved, the obligation to initiate the process of registration rests with the coroner and the obligation is discharged by the issuing of the coroner's certificate containing the required particulars of the death concerned. The question of which section of the Act under which the certificate is issued is entirely one for the coroner.

While there have been media reports about the inquest into these tragic events, I do not have specific information to date as to the coroner's precise findings. In this case, as far as I am aware, a certificate has not yet been received from the coroner by the relevant registrar. I also understand that the issues in this case are the subject of High Court proceedings and would, therefore, be sub judice. Bearing this in mind, I am not in a position to comment. For the information of the House, I have circulated the relevant sections, which I will not read out as we have gone through them on many occasions in the Seanad.

I would like to conclude by again expressing my sympathies to the families. It is very hard to have to go on despite the loss of their daughter and grandchild, friend and sister. I want to express my good wishes to the Senator, who has followed this case throughout the process, as has Deputy Conway.The Senator has raised the matter on many occasions in the House and I hope it can be brought to a conclusion that will give the families some comfort. I thank the Senator for raising it.