Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 November 2014
110. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the current number of cases being processed by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces; the number of cases in respect of which decisions have not yet been made for a period of six months, one year, two years or three years; the reason for these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42524/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established as an independent statutory office, under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. The Ombudsman has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions, including the processing and administration of cases referred to his Office for investigation. I understand from the Ombudsman’s Annual Report for 2012, which is the latest available, that at the end of that year some 55 cases were on hand, 14 of which had already received a Preliminary Report. I am advised that the Ombudsman’s Annual Report 2013 will be published before the end of the year. As the Deputy will be aware, there was some delay in bringing cases forward due to a case being before the courts challenging the appointment of the current Ombudsman. I am happy that matter is now closed and that the Ombudsman is proceeding to deal with the caseload as quickly as possible.
