Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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174. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to support a matter (details supplied) regarding the Coroner's Bill 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1606/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy refers to the Coroners Bill 2015, a Private Members Bill that in effect reproduces the whole of the Coroners Bill 2007 and introduces a small number of provisions for a mandatory post-mortem and inquest into any ‘maternal death’.

The Deputy will be familiar with the history of the Coroners Bill 2007, which proposed a major overhaul and restructuring of the coroner system. The Bill is now outdated and needs to be comprehensively reviewed, particularly in the light of the changed public finances since it was presented.

In order to progress this important legislation, last year I instigated a comprehensive review of the 2007 Bill:

- to identify how best to deliver an integrated, reformed structure that will support coroners more effectively, within the Government’s current financial possibilities;

- to bring the 2007 Bill up to date for legal and forensic developments, and in particular to ensure full compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights; and

- to put in place improved support to ensure that bereaved families receive a prompt, responsive, and effective service – recognising that coroners already strive to do so within the constraints of the existing administrative framework.

Minister of State Simon Harris T.D. has already presented my views on these issues to the Dail on 11th December in the debate on the Private Member's Bill, which the Government decided not to oppose. I am very sympathetic to the concerns motivating the proposal for introduction of mandatory inquests into maternal deaths. I believe that bereaved families in this situation are entitled to a prompt, transparent and sensitive response to their questions and concerns.

The Coroners Bill 2007 already proposed a legal requirement to report any maternal death to a coroner. As was indicated on 11th December, I would intend to keep that proposal, but consider that there are strong arguments for looking at whether an inquest should be legally required in cases of maternal deaths as defined by this Bill.

As I indicated to the Dail on 11 December, it is important and appropriate that this question be fully examined within my Department’s review of the Coroners' Bill. I can confirm to the Deputy that this examination is under way in the context of the passage of Second Stage of the 2015 Bill by Dáil Éireann, and that the review is making good progress.