Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Ó Clochartaigh in extending a welcome to Mr. Tyndall to the committee. We were advised in private session before Mr. Tyndall came in that we are not an interview panel and that we were not to regard the meeting as such. We always take the advice of the Cathaoirleach in these and other matters. That notwithstanding, I note that Mr. Tyndall is on the public record on the matter of recruitment and the selection process and the role of committees such as this. It is an exciting time in the public service here in Ireland because of the recently extended remit of the office, the recent changes to the freedom of information legislation which will have a direct impact upon his office and the existence of this committee which, as a previous speaker stated, is relatively new. I wonder whether Mr. Tyndall has any thoughts at this stage as to how best an Ombudsman might relate to this committee to the mutual benefit of improving public service and has he given any thought to the role that this committee might play.

Similarly, Mr. Tyndall's office, the Office of the Ombudsman, is now dealing with a large number of public bodies and agencies for the first time and that presents a significant challenge. I wonder whether he has any thoughts on a nationwide information and education campaign. Having regard to the fact that, when ratified, he will be the fourth Ombudsman, nevertheless, as a public representative, I formed the view that there are bodies of opinion in Ireland that are not specifically aware of the role and function of the Ombudsman. In the context of the increased powers and increased remit, that presents a significant challenge. Has Mr. Tyndall any thoughts on that?

With specific reference to public bodies that do not have adequately resourced FOI units, Mr. Tyndall mentioned timeframe and the importance of deadlines in his addressed. There may well be an element of frustration having regard to the fact that he will be dealing with agencies that do not have the units set up. How best might that be met?

Would it be out of order for me to ask Mr. Tyndall for his thoughts on the recruitment and selection process having regard to the situation in Wales where this committee's counterpart in the Welsh Assembly is the recruiting body where as here he is presented to us as something of a fait accompli? We have had a debate in recent weeks on reform of our institutions. The proposed abolition of the Seanad engaged the people for the first time in terms of political reform. Has Mr. Tyndall any views, have his views changed or is he prepared to speak to this committee on the matter of the recruitment selection process of public officers such as the position of Ombudsman?