Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that Deputy Clare Daly proposed a Private Members Bill, entitled the Coroners Bill 2015, to address issues with regard to the investigation into maternal deaths. The proposals contained in this Bill would introduce mandatory reporting, post-mortem examinations and inquests into any maternal death. Deputy Daly's Bill also proposed the extension of the current scheme of legal aid to next of kin in respect of these inquests.

I recently met with Deputy Daly to further discuss her concerns with regard to maternal deaths. Following this meeting, I undertook to bring forward urgently an appropriate Government Bill to ensure that all relevant maternal deaths are fully investigated by way of a coronial inquest. I am pleased to announce that the Government today approved the drafting of this Bill, based on the relevant sections of the 2007 Coroners Bill, which completed Second Stage in the Seanad on 4 October 2007, with all necessary updating.

The Bill will introduce mandatory reporting, post-mortem examination and inquest in cases of maternal death and provide legal aid for a family member at the inquest. In addition, in order to address concerns previously expressed by myself, the Attorney General and others, for the need to improve compliance with European Convention on Human Rights obligations in this area, I propose to address a limited number of other issues in the Bill so as to ensure that the coroner has sufficient and effective power to obtain relevant information in regard to maternal and other deaths. These powers were already included in the 2007 Coroners Bill.

Subject to the advice of the Attorney General, I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill as soon as possible.