Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This case indicates what this committee is about. This concerns an individual and it is not our business to hear the case which will be the business of the Office of the Ombudsman. However, this committee investigates systemic problems. Its remit is to highlight any gaps in legislation and to make recommendations in that regard. I concur with my colleagues that there is a gap in the rules and in the legislation which is creating an anomaly. It is important that the petitioner be invited to speak and that the committee hears the response of the Minister and her officials. It might be useful to invite representatives from the INOU and USI who have dealt with similar cases and are the representative bodies in this area. They could provide the committee with a broader picture of the extent of this anomaly.