Press release
Launch of the public consultation on reform of the Coroner Service
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has today (20 October 2023) launched a wide-ranging consultation to inform the development of proposals for comprehensive reform of the Coroner Service in Ireland.
The consultation is an opportunity for members of the public and stakeholder groups to express their views, observations and proposals on how the Coroner Service might be enhanced into the future.
Minister McEntee said:
“Coroners provide a valuable service to next of kin and society in general in seeking to explain the causes of death in sudden, unexplained, violent and unnatural deaths, and supporting bereaved families and loved ones at a very difficult time in their lives.
"While the Coroners Act of 1962 has undergone a number of amendments, the structure of the Coroner Service remains largely as it was originally established by that Act. The government wants to ensure that the Coroner Service is positioned to provide a comprehensive service into the future. Issues such as driving innovative change and enhancing customer service have been identified as areas in need of examination.
"This consultation marks a significant step forward in that process – the aim of which is to ensure we maintain the many positive elements of the service, while introducing improvements and enhancements where they might be required.
"Responses to the consultation process will be captured through two separate questionnaires, which aim to capture the views and opinions of both individuals who have engaged with the Coroner Service and those of stakeholder groups who support the service. I would encourage all interested parties to take part in this process over the coming months - your views will be a key part of the review and reform process.”
The public consultation will be open until the 19 January 2024. Following its conclusion, it is intended that proposals on a renewed Coroner system, including a proposed plan as to how this will be achieved, will be brought to Government.
The Coroner Service comprises of a network of coroners located in districts throughout the country. Coroners are independent quasi-judicial office holders whose function is to investigate sudden and unexplained, violent and unnatural deaths. The death investigation process may involve a post-mortem examination (PME), in order to establish the cause of death, as well as an inquest in certain instances.
Ireland has 34 Coroners covering 37 districts. The majority of Coroners work as solicitors, barristers or doctors and carry out their Coroner function in addition to these roles.
The Department of Justice (“the department”) is seeking submissions in relation to four key strands as set out in more detail in the public consultation document:
i) Structure and Roles
The structure of the Coroner Service is as prescribed in the Coroners Act 1962, as amended (“the Act”). While the Act has been amended, the structure of the Coroner Service remains largely as intended by the Act. The department is interested in canvassing views and opinions as to how the Coroner Service should be best structured to provide an improved service to bereaved families into the future.
ii) Pathology and Related Services
The provision of the Pathology / Histopathology service is a core input into the death investigation process. In this regard, it is critically important that the provision of post-mortem examination (PME) and ancillary services such as toxicology and histology are considered in detail.
iii) Reportable Deaths
The Act prescribes the circumstances in which a death must be reported to a Coroner and also the persons who are obliged to report the death. The department is seeking views in relation to death reporting, the types of deaths which should be reported and the structure required to support this.
iv) Inquests
There are certain scenarios prescribed in the Act whereby a Coroner is duty bound to hold an inquest, that is, where a deceased person was in State custody or detention at the time or immediately before death, and in the case of maternal or late maternal death. Otherwise, the Coroner may hold an inquest if s/he deems it necessary. The department is seeking views on roles and responsibilities in relation to inquests, the use of juries, venues for inquest, Coroner recommendations at inquests.