Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of post mortem results pending being sent to the Coroner as of 1 November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51205/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Many factors influence the time it takes for post-mortem reports to be received by a coroner from the pathologist concerned. Coroners are effectively a purchaser of these reports and the services involved from individual pathologists who in turn may be dependent on other service providers such as the State Laboratory or various hospital services.

I understand that, in general, it takes at least 3 months and up to 6 months for a post-mortem report to be received by a coroner but it may take longer where further specialist tests are required (e.g. toxicology, histology and microbiology tests).

As of 1 November 2012, the number of cases outstanding for more than 3 months is 548. This figure should be viewed in the context of the total of 5,598 post-mortem reports ordered by coroners in 2011.