Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for this amendment, which proposes to set out ineligibility criteria in the new section 14A. The proposed amendment refers to the ability of the Minister to remove a coroner from office, notwithstanding that the revised section 15 of the principal Act deals comprehensively with removal from positions. The proposed amendment furthermore appears to confer a discretion on the Minister to appoint individuals to an office, notwithstanding their ineligibility under section 14A. It should be noted that the revised section 15 of the Act relating to removal from office contains standardised, updated provisions with regard to removal provisions and procedures. Similar provisions have been applied with respect to certain other office holders where safeguarded removal procedures necessitated modernisation and enhanced natural justice safeguards.

It is for those reasons that I do not propose to accept amendment No. 4. I sincerely thank Senators Ward and Horkan for their observations, and Senator Ward for his proposals. Due to the urgency of this Bill and the reasons I have outlined, while I do not propose to accept the last of Senator Ward's suggested amendments, these proposals will be given further consideration during the consultation process on the reform of the coroner service, as already outlined.