James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf the Minister, Deputy McEntee, who regrets she cannot be here in person today, I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this important debate on the Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024.

There is general agreement that there needs to be reform, more efficiency and for the coroner to be more reflective of society and more comprehending of people who have to attend before them. I also note however, that a number of serious concerns have been raised by the Senators. These will be brought to the attention of the Minister, Deputy McEntee.

The changes made by this urgent Bill are important to ensure that there is a sufficient number of coroners to provide an appropriate level of service to bereaved families. This is particularly acute in the Dublin coroners district where, after 20 February, there would not be a sufficient number of coroners without the enactment of this Bill. Families who are engaging with the Coroner Service are often going through the most difficult times in their lives.

The service provided by coroners throughout the country is important for bereaved family members in finding out the cause of death of their loved one. The Coroner Service often helps family members to reach some form of closure following the loss of a loved one. The Coroner Service is an important service to the living. It is critical that the Coroner Service is resourced with a sufficient number of coroners for the death investigation process to proceed uninhibited. On 30 October last, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, launched a public consultation process in regard to the reform of the Coroner Service. The consultation period closed on 19 January and there was a very significant level of input from the public and from stakeholders who are involved in supporting the work of the coroners. Approximately 300 submissions were received, which demonstrates the importance of the service to so many in our communities.

Officials within the Department of Justice are beginning the process of analysing the responses provided in the consultation process. Early indications suggest that while legislative change is certainly needed, there is also much that can be done in the interim. Information provided to bereaved loved ones in regard to the Coroner Service is an issue which will be addressed following the consultation exercise.

Once all the submissions have been assessed and analysed, proposals will be brought to the Government for consideration later this year on the Coroner Service of the future. Within this context of broader reform of the Coroner Service, this Bill is a necessary amendment to ensure that full-time coroners can be appointed to the Dublin district. The existing temporary arrangements in the Dublin district are wholly inadequate in terms of the current demands on the district. This Bill, if enacted, will remedy the currently unsustainable position in the district. The more robust measures to be introduced in the Bill will provide the requisite stability required for a very busy district and will also modernise the existing provisions in the legislation. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, will work closely with the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, over the coming weeks to agree the appropriate number of coroners.

The Bill also provides for the appointment of temporary coroners in all districts nationally where additional coroners are required for the purpose of progressing death inquiries. Under existing legislation, the appointment of additional temporary coroners can only be made when there is a pandemic, catastrophic event or other occurrence leading to mass fatalities. This Bill provides greater flexibility for temporary coroners to be appointed where the workload requires it.

This important and urgent Bill will ensure that the Coroner Service in the Dublin district can continue to operate with an appropriate number of coroners. It will also ensure that additional temporary coroners can be appointed to any district where a need to do so has been identified. With the co-operation of all sides of the House, it is the Minister’s hope that together we can facilitate its swift passage.