Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amendment inserts a new section 13A into the principal Act. This new provision will allow the Minister, on receipt of a request from the Dublin coroner, to authorise his or her deputy coroner to conduct death investigations and inquests concurrently with the coroner, for the purpose of increasing the number and progress of inquiries into deaths in the Dublin coroner district. I accept the point that Senator Higgins has made and I am happy to look into the issue she has raised. I regard it as reasonable.

This amendment before us is a change to ensure that we can deal with necessary administrative reform. It will provide much-needed extra capacity in the Dublin district. All of us accept that it is particularly stretched despite the considerable work and productivity of the Dublin coroner, Dr. Myra Cullinane, and of her predecessor, Dr. Brian Farrell. I acknowledge their work and that of their office. I express my appreciation and thanks to each of them, to the Dublin deputy coroner and all of the staff in the Dublin coroner's office. I believe this amendment is important and I would be happy to follow up on the reasonable point made by Senator Higgins.