Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the outcome of two recent inquests relating to the deaths of two persons; if he will make urgent changes to the Coroners Act in view of the case of a person (details supplied); his views on whether the Coroners Act is adequate to deal with the proper evaluation of the situation; his further views on whether urgent reform of the Coroners Act is necessary to address this situation before there are further fatalities; the steps being taken to address the serious risk to public health which exists from such deficiencies in the Act; and the progress being made towards reform of the Act. [10894/05]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in implementing the report of the working group on the coroner service published in December 2000; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties created for coroners by the lack of appropriate penalties for those who refuse to attend when summonsed to attend inquests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10795/05]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in implementing the recommendations of the report of the working group on the coroner service, published in 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10891/05]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 743: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether €6.35 is a grossly inadequate penalty for persons who refuse to attend a coroner's court when summonsed to do so; his further views on whether there is a need for urgent reform of the Coroners Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10759/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 96, 137 and 743 together.

I take this opportunity to express my condolences to the family of the deceased person referred to in these questions.

The report of the coroners review group published in December 2000 recommended a comprehensive overhaul and modernisation of the coroners service in Ireland, with regard to the legislation governing the work of coroners, the support services available to coroners and the structural organisation of the coroner service.

In keeping with the commitment in the Government legislation programme, it is my intention to shortly bring to Government detailed proposals providing for that comprehensive reform. The proposed new coroners Bill will seek to address all of the issues highlighted by the review as well as taking account of any significant developments since then. Necessary consultations, including consultations with the Coroners Society of Ireland, are ongoing. I can confirm that increased sanctions for those who refuse to co-operate with an inquest, the ending of the restriction on the number of medical and other witnesses and a more coherent statement of the scope of the provisions for mandatory inquests will form part of my proposals for a Bill.

However, regulation generally of medical practice and persons engaged in para-medical activities does not come within the area of responsibility of my Department and is not a subject for coroners legislation.