Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 1995

Vol. 455 No. 2

Written Answers. - Powers of Ombudsman.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

69 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the measures, if any, the Government proposes to take to allow a major extension of the Ombudsman's powers in view of the recent Ombudsman's report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11836/95]

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

109 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the number of meetings which have taken place with the Ombudsman regarding the Government's stated desire to extend the powers of the Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12005/95]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 109 together.

The Government clearly signalled in A Government of Renewal its intention to introduce legislation to extend the powers of the Office of the Ombudsman. It stated that: “legislation will be introduced to extend the remit of the Ombudsman, including the Administrative Procedures Act. Exemptions to the Ombudsman's jurisdiction in existing law will be reviewed, with a view to a major extension of the Ombudsman's powers. This will cover a wide range of agencies established since 1980, as well as agencies to be established in the future”.

Obviously, any proposed root and branch re-examination of the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman is something which could not be undertaken, in any meaningful way, without first ascertaining the views of the Ombudsman and of his staff on the operation of the existing Act and the powers and responsibilities arising therefrom.

As is explained in the recently published Annual Report of the Ombudsman, discussions on the content and scope of the proposed legislation have already commenced. These discussions have to date taken the form of exchanges of views both orally and in writing. Formal meetings will be arranged as and when necessary.

It is hoped to bring this dialogue to a conclusion shortly so that draft proposals for legislation can be prepared and circulated in the normal way with a view to bringing draft legislation before the Oireachtas without delay.