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Bill to reform coroner-directed autopsies

Drafting of a bill to significantly reform the Coroner Service to increase efficiencies and minimise the impact of the death-investigation process on the bereaved has been approved by Government.

A report on the public consultation on reform of the coroner service has also been published by justice minister Helen McEntee.

Minister McEntee said that the report highlighted the need for change in the structure of the Coroner Service and how the service interacted with bereaved people.

Personal stories

“I am deeply grateful for the insights and personal stories people shared during the consultation process,” she said.

Respondents and service users felt that they could have been better informed throughout the death investigation process, the report shows.

Suggested enhancements in communication included improved web-based information, use of explainers in text and video, and proactive outreach from the Coroner.

'Ownership' 

A lack of centralised ‘ownership’ of the Coroner Service also came out in the report.

Currently, the Department of Justice has operational and funding responsibility for the Dublin district only and overall policy and legislation responsibility for the entire service.

In order to provide a consistent service, stakeholders suggested that ‘ownership’ of the Coroner Service should sit with the Department of Justice.

Local authorities strongly suggested that they should not have a responsibility in relation to the Coroner Service, and that funding should be centralised with the Department of Justice.

'Reportable deaths'

The Heads of Bill, which will be brought to Government in 2025, covers:

• Establishment of an independent Office of Chief Coroner, responsible for setting standards, providing guidance, and overseeing activities of full-time salaried coroners, in line with international best practice,  
• Enhancing support available for bereaved throughout the death-investigation process,
• Reform of current approach for provision of coroner-directed autopsies, to ensure that families across Ireland have equal access to pathology services without delays, 
• Reviewing number of ‘reportable deaths’ that are required to be reported to a Coroner. Ireland currently reports significantly more deaths than comparable jurisdictions and, consequently, has cause to investigate many more deaths than might otherwise be required.   

Minister McEntee said: “The coronial death-investigations process can be highly distressing for families of the bereaved. The needs of those families will be at the centre of this planned reform of the Coroner Service.”

The minister will also request the Press Council to draft new guidelines for media on the reporting of inquests.