Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2006

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Coroners Service

8:00 pm

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 643: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to change the system in which suicide inquests are heard for privacy of the families involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10539/06]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 644: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to remove suicide inquests from the surrounds of a court and to be heard, for example, in a solicitors office. [10540/06]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 645: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average waiting time in each county for suicide inquests to be heard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10541/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 to 645, inclusive, together.

In the Coroners Bill that the Government has approved for drafting, there are no proposals for inquests to be held in private in certain cases. I am aware of the hurt and trauma involved for family members and relatives in tragic death situations, especially suicide. I am also mindful that a proper public investigation must be seen to take place in order to reassure the public as to the cause of death in all cases of reportable death.

The coroners review group, which reported in 2000, did not recommend that any particular category of inquest should be held other than in public, which has always been the position in the State. I am aware that it is the practice of coroners to be especially sensitive in so far as is possible, to the needs of families in the handling of all inquests and particularly so where suicide may be in question.

I am not in possession of statistics for the waiting time for inquests. The conduct of inquests is strictly a matter for the coroner concerned and I am conscious that there may be many variables which might affect the timing of the inquest. However, when the coroners service is established under the new legislation, it will be in a position to gather and provide a wide range of information of benefit to the public. It will be required to report annually on all aspects of the work of the coroner.

The Bill will replace the Coroners Act 1962 with considerable updating and it will reform the coroner service. It will implement recommendations contained in the report of the coroners review group and take into account recent judgments of our own courts and of the European Court of Human Rights.

Details of the proposed new Coroners Bill are available on the website of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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