Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms O’Reilly for clarifying her position. As usual, the Seanad is a step ahead because we have had an opportunity to consider the Bill. We welcome the increase in the number of agencies that will be under the remit of the Ombudsman but I wish to focus my comments on the areas over which jurisdiction is not being given. I was forthright in the Seanad in arguing that people in direct provision and those who come under the auspices of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, the Reception and Integration Agency and the Prison Service should be included under the Ombudsman’s remit.

The Minister has indicated that he will establish a redress agency under the Department of Justice and Equality but the Ombudsman’s role is one of final adjudication and issues could also arise with the proposed new body. The Ombudsman should be given jurisdiction over these agencies even at this stage because even if the new body is established the need for redress could arise if voices are not heard.

For the past several weeks I have been campaigning on behalf of Lisbrook direct provision centre. Today we received a letter from the Minister stating that the centre is to be closed with immediate effect and that a review is ongoing. The voices of the residents of that centre were not taken into consideration. There was no meeting with Oireachtas Members from Galway even though we had sought one. That does not bode well for the proposed new redress system for people in direct provision.

This is why the Ombudsman’s office needs to cover these areas and I imagine it is also the reason why Ms O’Reilly has called for such powers. I would yet not give up the cause. As the Whip system is not supposed to apply to this committee, I will be calling on members to ask that her recommendations in this area be fully included in the Bill. I commend her on her strong statement on these issues.