Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 1003: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will amend the Coroners Act 1962 as a matter of urgency to end the restriction on the number of medical and other witnesses a coroner may call during an inquest in order to ensure that families have proper expert medical representation when attending the coroner's court. [25273/05]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 1004: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will implement the recommendations contained in the 2000 report of the working group set up to review the coroners service. [25274/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1003 and 1004 together.

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 coroners service. In keeping with the commitment in the Government legislative programme, announced by the Chief Whip on 27 September 2005, detailed proposals providing for that comprehensive reform are being finalised in my Department for submission to Government. I confirm the Bill I am proposing will contain provisions to end the restriction on the number of medical witnesses who can be summoned to an inquest.