Vol. 490 No. 2
14 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to widen the remit of the Ombudsman; if he intends to introduce legislation to give effect to these plans or if he will proceed by way of statutory regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9672/98]
The Government has committed itself in An Action Programme for the Millennium to expanding the remit of the Ombudsman. Consideration by my Department of proposals to amend the Ombudsman legislation in the light of this commitment is well advanced and the heads of the Bill are being drafted. When that drafting has been completed it will be necessary to obtain the views of other Departments. As soon as that consultation process is complete and its results taken on board, the Government will be requested to consider a memorandum on the issue together with the general scheme of a Bill.
In view of the fact that the Ombudsman has expressed concern at the progress on bringing forward this legislation, will the Minister give the House a timeframe for its introduction? Will he also indicate the areas to which the Ombudsman's remit will be extended and how his powers will be extended?
I am aware of what the Ombudsman said in his annual report for 1997 published on 16 April 1998. He noted that the Government intends to extend his remit to include vocational education committees, the public voluntary hospitals and the non-commercial State bodies. It is possible to make some of the changes by regulation. However, a substantial change in the remit of the Ombudsman would require legislation. The heads of a Bill are being drafted by my Department. I have given responsibility for this area to Minister of State, Deputy Cullen. He will be able to give this matter his full attention and speed up the process. I hope that the Bill will be published before the end of the year.
There are certain areas which can be dealt with by regulation and do not require legislation. Could the Minister not deal with these areas as soon as possible?
The Government is committed in the Programme for Government to extending the remit of the Ombudsman. That is why we are preparing legislation. As we intend to make major changes in this area it would only be proper that this would be part of substantial legislation.
When does the Minister expect the Bill to be published?
I hope it will be published later this year but not before the summer.
