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

I went through the casebook last night. It is a good innovation and gives a flavour of the issues that arise, particularly where there are numerous examples of the same issue. The pdf version is available for members.

Senator O'Keeffe indicated first, but I will ask a question before opening the floor to members. It relates to the standard approach to making complaints. From time to time, we as Oireachtas Members work with constituents who have had their applications to Departments rejected. Those rejections might refer to an appeals process, but they do not mention the option to apply to the Ombudsman. Mr. Tyndall has raised this issue with the committee several times. Is he in negotiations? He indicated that he had circulated recommendations on how to address this matter. Has there been a change? I have not seen a dramatic one, nor an inclination in any public body to give people the right to take their cases to the Ombudsman following refusals. The situation is changing, but people often do not realise that this is an option.