Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, for taking time out of his busy schedule to be here. In this country at the moment, when a human remains or a body is not identified there is no central database for the information that is gathered. I understand that the information is kept within each of the coroners' areas. Dr. René Gapert, who is an expert in this area, has suggested that a central database should be established. The cost of doing this would not be huge. It would be important to have such a system in place. Dr. Gapert has received the support of coroners from around the country. I am raising this issue on foot of a case in Dublin involving a person who was reported missing more than ten years ago. A body was washed up on the coast of County Louth within three months of the person being reported missing, but it took nine years for two and two to be put together and for it to be realised that the body which washed up in County Louth was that of the person who had been reported missing ten years earlier. The family of that person lived with uncertainty for ten years. A central database would help the Garda, the coroners and all the people involved. I ask the Department to give serious consideration to this proposal.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Colm Burke for raising this matter. It is distressing when the remains of deceased people are sometimes discovered on land or washed ashore on our coasts, as in the case mentioned by the Senator. The relevant State authorities make every effort to identify such people by whatever means possible. I am informed by coroners that fortunately there are very few cases in which remains cannot be identified within a foreseeable timeframe. The discovery of skeletal remains or bones, usually as a result of construction activity, happens more frequently.

The Senator is proposing that I should establish a new section for unidentified human remains as a means of centralising information and streamlining the identification process. He has previously submitted to me a proposal from a well-respected forensic anthropologist that a forensic human remains identification specialist position should be established and located within the ambit of the Department. It is proposed that such a specialist would centralise information and provide a service in respect of the identification of discovered bodies or parts of bodies. It is argued that this could help to co-ordinate the expertise required and be of greater assistance to the families of missing people. I have asked the various relevant divisions and agencies within my departmental remit to examine the proposal carefully. This consideration is now under way. The initial feedback I have received suggests that consideration must be given to whether the establishment of a separate section, with attendant costs or impacts on the work of other agencies concerned, represents the best use of available resources. Statutory changes could also be required.

I am informed that there is no evidence to suggest that there are major deficiencies in the handling and ultimate identification of human remains. Most such remains are ultimately identified. I would be happy to engage further with Senator Colm Burke on these issues. I recognise that families and relations of people who go missing for long periods of time have their hopes raised when discoveries are reported. We must ensure that all possible measures are taken to identify the deceased when remains are discovered. I commend Senator Burke on his efforts to enhance the identification of unidentified remains. He has done a great deal of work to advance proposals to allow families to manage the affairs of missing people. His Private Members' Bill in that regard has passed all Stages in the Seanad and is awaiting Second Stage in the Dáil. I hope we can report progress on that issue in the coming weeks. If the Bill is enacted, it will be of considerable assistance to the families of people who have gone missing. I have indicated that I will do everything I can to facilitate its passage.

Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
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I understand that across the various coroners' areas there are approximately 200 cases in which the bodies or partial remains of individuals have not been identified. That figure is taken from a survey which added them all up. There is no central relationship that allows such discoveries to be cross-checked with the cases of people who have been reported missing. Problems can arise when people who have been reported missing turn up in a totally different part of a country. I know of a case involving a person whose remains were discovered in County Galway and who has not been identified, in which the evidence suggests that the person was not even from Ireland. I am concerned that there is no central place where the Garda authorities and the coroners can go after bodies are discovered to cross-check information about people who have been reported missing. I am raising this issue in that context. I am asking for serious consideration to be given to the establishment of a central database. I suggest that someone be given responsibility for working on this matter, even on a part-time basis, in order to ensure that people might go to a central place.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Senator that I have asked the various divisions and agencies under the remit of my Department to study carefully his proposal for the establishment of a special section to deal with the remains of unidentified people. I will not be in a position to give a definitive response until that consideration has been completed. I commend the Senator on his interest in this matter. I am happy to engage with him in this public forum and bilaterally on the progress that is being made or otherwise. I commend him on his efforts to advance matters concerning unidentified remains and the management of the affairs of missing people. After he raised this issue with me earlier in the year, I had an opportunity to attend a conference of coroners. I am anxious to engage further on this issue with a view towards meeting the Senator's concerns.