Vol. 442 No. 2
92 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the consultation which took place and the procedures which were followed in connection with the decision to nominate a person (details supplied) for appointment by the President to be the Ombudsman.
Where the filling of an office where appointment or nomination for appointment other than by an individual Minister is concerned, it is normal for the appropriate Minister to bring that vacancy to the attention of his colleagues for consideration and decision and for subsequent action to be taken on foot of the conclusions reached by the Government. That procedure was followed in this instance.
The specific legal requirements in relation to the appointment of an Ombudsman are set out in the Ombudsman Act. Apart from these, there is no procedure specified in relation to the selection of the person whose name is placed before Dáil Éireann. I understand, however, that notification of the Government's intentions in regard to the nomination issued to the leaders of parties in Dáil Éireann, to the President, the Ceann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann and the Ombudsman in advance of any public announcement.
