asked the Minister for the Public Service if any further consideration has been given by the Government to the appointment of an ombudsman.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Ombudsman.
37.
As the Taoiseach indicated in his reply to a similar question on 17th July last, the new Department of the Public Service would give 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. This examination has been extended to include the feasibility of appointing an ombudsman with responsibilities more extensive than those originally contemplated. As the Deputy is aware, the agreement reached in Sunningdale last Sunday contemplates the possibility of an ombudsman in the context of a Council of Ireland. Matters of a very fundamental nature affecting both Government and people arise and require detailed examination here and consultation with the proposed Council of Ireland.
Is the Minister aware that there is an ombudsman in Northern Ireland at present?
Yes, indeed, and this is one of the matters we would like to contemplate in relation to the introduction of an ombudsman system here.