Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have been on the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality with Deputy Clare Daly for a number of years and this issue has come before us. People who have experienced maternal deaths and who have not had the opportunity of an inquest have given testimony before the committee. This legislation, once passed by these Houses and signed into law by President Higgins, will at least mean this will not happen again.It updates and modernises the legal framework relating to coroners, which has not been done since 1962 - generations ago. Things were done in a different fashion then. There was not the type of transparency and accountability back then that society takes for granted today.

We have EU obligations, as has been pointed out. This legislation certainly brings us into line with our EU obligations. The detail in the legislation is welcome. Most, if not all, eventualities that may present themselves are covered by the legislation. It is welcome that the penalties for people who do not co-operate with inquests and coroners will be increased. Coroners will have the power to ensure that people turn up, answer questions and give evidence in coroners' courts.

It is also welcome that families will be required under the legislation to be informed when inquests are taking place. That feeds into people's involvement with the justice system and ensuring that victims are at the heart of the work we do because, unfortunately, for too long in this country, victims have not been at the heart of the justice system. In fairness to this Government and Minister, we are moving incrementally in the right direction when it comes to a victim-centred society and justice system. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories of people who have suffered maternal deaths where the reasons for the death were inexplicable. The families will live with that for the rest of their lives. The reasons why it happened are inexplicable and nobody is held accountable. As far as the families are concerned, justice has not been done and there has been no attempt to ensure that justice is done. This legislation will at least give these people some satisfaction that in the future, such situations will not arise.

I welcome the Bill. I always have great admiration for the Minister because the raft of legislation he must put through is quite remarkable. This legislation will directly impact on the lives of citizens in a positive way, particularly when people find themselves in very tragic and difficult situations. At least they will know that there is accountability and transparency and that the justice system is on their side. I commend this legislation and I am glad that, so far, there has been no opposition to it in this House. As I always suspect, this House does the right thing when the legislation is important and necessary.