I wish the Ceann Comhairle, all her staff and everyone across the House a very happy Christmas. There is a chronic shortage of pathologists to carry out post-mortem examinations in Ireland and pathologists are withdrawing from the post-mortem service as they are not contractually obliged to provide post-mortems. The Minister for justice will be aware of this due to an internal briefing paper. This Christmas in Limerick, unfortunately, we will have no pathology cover between 23 December and 29 December. Anybody who dies in that period where an autopsy is required will not be able to be buried until the autopsy is complete. This will cause unnecessary additional grief and upset for families. It could delay a funeral by up to ten or 12 days. When will the standing committee established in the Department of justice to examine this issue conclude its work? When will a new model for the service be agreed and implemented?

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