asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that frequently in cases of sudden accidental or natural death, where the coroner is notified, the body is removed to a hospital mortuary which is not the nearest to the scene of the accident; and, if so, if he will introduce amending legislation in view of the hardship and expense thereby caused to the next of kin.

(Limerick East): I am aware of the steps taken by the individual coroners in specific cases concerning the removal of bodies.

Under section 46 of the Coroners Act, 1962 a coroner may direct the removal of the body of any person, whose death he is investigating, to a convenient mortuary or morgue or other suitable place regardless of whether that mortuary or morgue or place is inside or outside his district. This discretionary power already enables a coroner to direct the removal of a body to the nearest hospital mortuary and consequently there is no need to make any further provisions for such a contingency.

Is the Minister aware, and if so is he concerned, that in all cases of sudden death irrespective of cause, natural or otherwise, a number of coroners insist that the body be removed to the hospital in their own county, not necessarily in their own district? This can involve an ambulance travelling a distance of 60 or 70 miles and causes great inconvenience and hardship to relatives travelling such distances to identify the body, although the nearest hospital may be only three or four miles away. At this time of recession health board ambulances cannot even afford to transport people to clinics.

(Limerick East): The coroner has discretionary power already to direct the removal of the body to the nearest hospital mortuary, regardless of whether it is in his district or not. Consequently there is no need to make any further provision in law for such a contingency. If the Deputy brings particular problem cases to my attention I will have the matter taken up directly with the individual coroners.

Is the Minister satisfied with the present system? I am telling him that in Monaghan and in Meath coroners are insisting on bodies being brought ridiculous distances to hospital when this is totally unnecessary. To give an example——

I let the Deputy put his case pretty fully and I would ask him now to confine himself to a question.

Would the Minister accept that when a person from Dundalk died in Kingscourt it was correct that the body should have been transferred to Navan, with all the inconvenience caused to relatives in going to identify the body? In this case death was caused by a coronary thrombosis. The ambulance involved was from Dundalk and had to travel to Navan, thus not being available to deal with any emergencies in the Dundalk area. That is one example. Will the Minister investigate the position and ask coroners to be reasonable where sudden death is involved, not involving crime?

(Limerick East): The Deputy has asked whether I will be introducing amending legislation. Under section 46 of the 1962 Act legislation is not required because coroners have discretion already. If, as the Deputy seems to indicate, they are not aware of the discretion which they have, I will make sure that they are made aware by circularising all coroners pointing out the discretionary powers they have under the Act.