BackThis is Emily O'Reilly´s eighth Annual Report as Ombudsman and the twenty-seventh since the Office of the Ombudsman, the first one in the State, was established back in 1984. Commenting on the record 3,727 complaints made to her in 2010, Emily O'Reilly stated:
"The Ombudsman complaints service is for everyone who needs it, to use free of charge. Since 1984 we have helped over 76,000 people with valid complaints - It is a proud record of achievement. We continue to adapt to changed economic and social circumstances in our efforts to give the best possible service to an increasing number of complainants, within existing resources"
Complaints made to her Office in 2010 rise to 3,727 - up 30% on 2009, the highest number recorded in over 10 years. 1,317 complaints made in 2010 were outside her jurisdiction – up 22% when compared with 2009. This results in a total of 9,390 enquiries made to her Office.
Reform of Government - the role of the Office of the Ombudsman
On 2 February last I sent a paper to all political parties and Oireachtas members entitled "Developing and Optimising the Role of the Ombudsman". This explained how I believed that the Ombudsman could play a fuller role in supporting the checks and balances required for good Government. I detailed four specific proposals, which I felt would allow my Office to maximise its contribution to Government reform and rebalance the relationship between the Ombudsman and the Government so as to further increase public confidence in the effective working of the Institution of the Ombudsman.
Among the proposals were:
Constitutional status for the Office of the Ombudsman,
An improved reporting relationship with the Oireachtas,
Extension of the Ombudsman remit to include the prisons and all issues relating to immigration, refugees, asylum seekers and naturalisation
The Ombudsman continued,
"Most of the changes I have put forward for consideration will need new legislation, and little or no additional expenditure. In fact the changes proposed are likely to result in savings in other areas. The Government Programme for National Recovery, published in March last, took into account some of my suggestions in my document."
Speaking about the reforms, Ombudsman O´Reilly said,
"I strongly welcome the commitment of the Government to extend the remit of the Ombudsman to all publicly funded bodies. Also, the establishment of a new Oireachtas Committee - the Investigations, Oversight and Petitions Committee. This will provide a much needed formal channel of consultation and collaboration between the Oireachtas and the Ombudsman. It will be responsible for receiving and debating my Annual and Special Reports and for ensuring that my criticisms and recommendations, as Ombudsman, are acted upon. I have already made some suggestions to the Department of Finance relating to the practicalities of implementing the proposals to broaden my Office's remit. I am hopeful that early progress can be made in delivering on these commitments which I see as an essential component of the public service reform programme".
The Ombudsman added that she hoped to have ongoing constructive engagement with the Government and the relevant Ministers and their officials in relation to the Programme for Government as it affects her Office and, indeed, on her wider proposals for developing the Ombudsman role.
Commenting recently on her proposal for constitutional status for the Office of the Ombudsman, Ms. O'Reilly said,
"The Office of the Ombudsman should have constitutional status if it is to be safe from political attack and partisanship. Constitutional status would enhance the authority of the Office and ensure that it was treated appropriately when conflicts with government arose. It would also further recognise the Office as a viable alternative to the courts, in securing access to justice, and in an informal and cost-free manner."
Source: Office of the Ombudsman of Ireland, Communications and Research
