Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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157. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the body to which concerned families can turn to for accountability in circumstances in which a post-mortem report contains serious inaccuracies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22502/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Coroners are governed by the provisions of the Coroners Act 1962. They are quasi-judicial officials and are independent in the conduct of their functions.

Accordingly, as Minister, I do not have control over, or responsibility for, their operations or the manner in which inquests are conducted.

Where a coroner directs a post-mortem examination, such is conducted by a registered medical practitioner and the results furnished to the coroner.

As Minister, I have no involvement for the direction of, the carrying out of or the reporting of results to the coroner of post-mortem examinations by registered medical practitioners who conduct such examinations

The avenue for seeking a review of the coroner’s decisions is a Judicial Review application.