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

Just to make that invitation. Our committee in particular takes its responsibilities very seriously and we do not second guess any decision of any ombudsman's office. They are independent and it is not our role to do that. We want to strengthen the independence and impact of the ombudsmen by following up on any recommendations that have not been implemented with Government. We have done and will continue to do that across the board.

Mr. McCourt talked about the international examples of defence forces ombudsmen and the different types that are there. It appears that, in Ireland, the ombudsman's role is essentially to be another appeal mechanism.

Therefore, where the relevant member of the Defence Forces has gone through all the various complaint handling processes and has appealed them up through the various stages, the Defence Ombudsman is then the ultimate office of appeal. Would the ombudsman like to see his office broadened to fit what would internationally be regarded as the role of an ombudsman, to look at, for example, inspection, efficiency, oversight, and more of those types of roles?