Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank them for being present for a second time. Like a long engagement nobody could accuse the committee of rushing this in any way. I know a couple that went out for 22 years and when they eventually decided to tie the knot I told them they were not rushing into it. It is the same in this case. On a serious note, it is better to get the Bill passed and then afterwards to seek to further extend the role. I would be supportive of that at another time but it would be wrong to muddy the water now. It would be preferable to proceed as we are proceeding. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

I would not be doing my job properly if I did not raise one final matter with the Ombudsman. Every office of the State will receive complaints at different times, whether valid or not. My question relates to how complaints against the Ombudsman's office are investigated and handled. That is of concern to me not in reference to any particular case but in terms of the general process. It is an important issue to consider in respect of any public body.