After section 53 of the Principal Act , the following section is inserted in Part 7:

53A.     Power of coroner to defer provision of information

(1)  If the coroner reasonably believes it necessary for the purpose of an investigation, he or she may direct that the provision of specified information contained in records that are in the possession of a State Service Agency or a Minister and to which any person may otherwise be entitled under the Freedom of Information Act 1991 be deferred for a specified period.

(2)  An agency or Minister directed by the coroner under subsection (1) is to comply with that direction.