The Department of Justice last week published a report following a public consultation on reform of the Coroner Service and confirmed it will bring forward legislation on the issue.

“This report highlights the need for change in the structure of the Coroner Service and crucially, how the service interacts with bereaved people,” justice minister Helen McEntee said.

“I’m pleased to say there was a high level of engagement with the public consultation, which provided an important opportunity for my Department to listen to the views of members of the public and stakeholder groups on how the Coroner Service might be enhanced into the future. 

“I am deeply grateful for the insights and personal stories people shared during the consultation process. The open and constructive way they participated was invaluable to fully inform the development of proposals for the reform of the Coroner Service.

“I also want to sincerely thank the members of the Advisory Committee for their insightful input throughout.”

In a statement, ICCL said it had “long campaigned for the Coroner Service to be reformed to better protect the rights of, and serve, bereaved families”.

“In the upcoming general election campaign, we are calling on all political parties to commit to publishing a ‘Charter for the Bereaved’ setting out the rights of bereaved people and instigating thorough structural reform of the management and delivery of the Coroner Service,” it said.

“Any reform of the Service must be in line with the rights of bereaved families under Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights and it must include legal aid for families and the reform of jury system at inquests.”