The Department of Justice is in ongoing discussions with State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy over reforms of the pathology service, it confirmed last night.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said that among the issues under consideration was the introduction of a two-pathologist system for carrying out investigations in cases of suspicious deaths.
This would allow for a fall-back witness to give evidence in the event of the other not being available.
The Government has come under pressure to reform the current arrangement following controversy over the decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to proceed with a manslaughter case against Dermot Laide in relation to the death of Brian Murphy outside Anabel's nightclub in Dublin.
Former State pathologist Prof John Harbison, who carried out the original postmortem examination, was unavailable to give evidence due to illness. A report on the case drawn up by current State Pathologist Prof Cassidy produced conclusions that were very different from those put forward by Prof Harbison.
A Department of Justice spokesman said there was no row between Minister for Justice Michael McDowell and Prof Cassidy over reforms of the State pathology service.
He said that when the Minister told an Oireachtas Committee that Prof Cassidy was not keen on having two pathologists carry out each procedure, he was reflecting "an impression in the Department of Justice that she was not embracing this issue" .
The spokesman said that there was no conflict between the Minister and Prof Cassidy. He said that discussions had taken place about reforms and more would be held. There were a number of issues to be looked at, including the two-pathologist system, resourcing of the office and any other concerns that Prof Cassidy may have.
Prof Cassidy could not be contacted yesterday.
