A new Coroner's Service is to be set up under a new Bill published by the Minister for Justice today.
The Bill, aimed at reforming one of the State's oldest public services, was unveiled by Mr McDowell this afternoon. It updates existing legislation and structures relating to coroners.
The Tánaiste said: "These improvements, together with the provision of better supports to coroners, will result in an enhanced service to the public, in particular to families of the deceased, than is currently possible under the existing legislation."
The Bill would also widen the scope of inquests from investigating the proximate medical cause of death to establishing the circumstances in which a person died.
The Bill also sets out provision for a range of offences concerning failure to co-operate with an inquest or coroner, and procedures for coroners to investigate certain deaths outside the State.
In addition, it provides that the Legal Aid Board may grant legal aid in situations where a person has died in, or resulting from being in, State custody or in institutional care situations.
The new Coroner Service will work closely with gardaí, the Garda Ombudsman Commission and other statutory bodies. The new service will also be responsible for providing support to coroners and for liaising with bereaved families.
A Coroner Service Implementation Office, which will be based in Navan Co Meath, is to be set up over the coming weeks to help set up the new service.
"Coroners in Ireland have done a remarkable job over the years in serving their communities and have gained the respect of the public. The new legislation will reinforce the role of the coroner at the centre of the death investigation process," added the Tánaiste.
