IRELAND | Office of the Ombudsman launches “Human Rights: A guide for Ombudsman staff when investigating complaints”

The Office of the Ombudsman of Ireland saw the formal launch of a new Human Rights Manual for Ombudsman staff, which aims to increase awareness and use of the human rights framework throughout the public sector.

Speakers included:

• Ms Deirdre Malone, Director Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)
• Ms Noeleen Blackwell, former CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre
• Ms Sylda Langford, former DG of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
• Ms Zoryana Pshyk and Ms Eilís Ní Chorcora from Maynooth University and the “Thank you and We Are Here, Hear” exhibition.

Under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 the Office has a legal obligation to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by our policies and plans (Public Sector Duty or PSD).  In keeping with their PSD one of the key objectives of their Statement of Strategy was the introduction of a Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) to Ombudsman complaint handling. The main purpose for adopting a HRBA to Ombudsman complaints handling is to ensure that Public Service Providers within their remit (PSPs) have regard for the human rights of the individuals they deal with on a daily basis and that the Ombudsman’s consideration of human rights is an integral part of the examination of complaints of maladministration. The Human Rights Manual is available on their website.

Source: Office of the Ombudsman, Ireland