Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will have the person's remains exhumed to seek to determine the cause of death. [24994/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My role in relation to ordering an exhumation is as set out in Section 47 of the Coroners Act, 1962. I can only make a decision as to whether an exhumation order is necessary and warranted at the request of the relevant coroner and the Garda Síochána.

That legislation specifies that the relevant coroner needs to have been informed by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of inspector that, in their opinion, the death of the person whose body has been buried in the coroner's district may have occurred in a violent or unnatural manner. The coroner may then request me to order the exhumation of the body by the Garda Síochána.

To-date I have not received such a request in relation to the person referred to. In the event of such a request in respect of the individual referred to being made, I will, of course, give it every consideration in the light of advice available to me.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) whereby relatives were charged for an environmentally friendly service to dispose of coffin handles prior to cremation and that no such service was supplied in many instances; if he will request An Garda Síochána to investigate the allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24995/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy again when the report is to hand.