asked the Taoiseach if any representations have been received by his Department in regard to the appointment of an ombudsman; and, if so, the action, if any, taken on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Ombudsman.
3.
The answer to the first part of the question is "yes". In reply to the second part, I would refer the Deputy to the remarks of the Minister for Finance during the course of the recent debate on the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 1973. The Minister stated that the new Department of the Public Service would be giving early consideration to the recommendations of the Public Services Organisation Review Group on the appointment of a Commissioner for Administrative Justice and also to the general question of appellate machinery to deal with complaints of those aggrieved by administrative decisions.
Can the Taoiseach say whether there are any detailed plans for the appointment of such a person?
No. The Minister referred to this and said that the new Department would be giving early consideration to it. The Public Services Organisation Review Group referred to the recommendation of a working party of the Institute of Public Administration that a Commissioner for Administrative Justice should be appointed. The review group agreed with that recommendation.
The Taoiseach said that representations were received in his Department. Were the representations from the public or from any particular body?
Both, I think.