Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
1205. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to standardise protocols for medicolegal autopsies under the Coroners Act 1962, to ensure consistency nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10418/26]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has responsibility for coroners' legislation and policy, including the Coroners Act 1962, as amended.
Acknowledging that, Part 3 of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024, once commenced, will establish a new regulatory regime to ensure best practice is followed in the conduct of post-mortem examinations.
The Act does not interfere with the independence of the Coroner in performing his or her statutory functions and it is important to emphasise that the Coroners Acts remain as the primary legislation governing post-mortem examinations directed by the Coroner.
Amongst other measures, the Act will amend the Coroners Acts 1962-2024 to address issues with regard to material removed and retained from the deceased person in a post-mortem examination directed by a coroner.
The Act will amend the Coroners Acts to introduce a better communication and information sharing process with families in cases where a coronial post-mortem is required and where material may be retained for investigative purposes.
Additionally, the Act will introduce regulations aligning practices in relation to the retention, storage and management of organs across the non-coronial and coronial systems.
The legislation will lead to improved standards of practice across both the coronial and non-coronial system and complement the HSE National Clinical Guidelines for Post-Mortem Examination Services published in 2023.
Part 3 of the Act dealing with post-mortem practice and procedures will be progressed to commencement at the earliest opportunity.
