Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to welcome the Ombudsman, Mr. Peter Tyndall, who will make a presentation on the role and remit of the Office of the Ombudsman and the challenges facing his organisation. Mr. Tyndall is accompanied by Ms Bernadette McNally, director general of the Office of the Ombudsman. I thank them for forwarding their presentation, which has been circulated to members. Mr. Tyndall, who was appointed Ombudsman in 2013, previously held the post of chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales and head of education and culture for the Welsh Local Government Association. Members are keen to hear his views on the role and remit of the Ombudsman and to engage with him on the topic.
I must inform witnesses that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act, 2009 they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. If they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect parliamentary practice to the effect that where possible they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such way as to make him, her or it identifiable. I invite Mr. Tyndall to make his presentation.