Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note that the Deputy has proposed an amendment to section 3. He has explained the impact and intent of the amendment in his contribution. I note the current amendment no longer seeks to delete the words "in an informal manner" from the original Act and introduces the word "undue" to read as "without undue regard to technicality and legal form". I very much welcome this amendment to section 3 of the Deputy's Bill as it resembles what is included in the Government legislation. The provisions outlining that the ombudsman needs not have regard to technicality or legal form is considered by the ombudsman to be a very valuable and fundamentally important provision upon which reliance can be placed, while the ombudsman nevertheless complies with the requirements of natural justice. I recognise that this text, which is also in the Government Bill, allows for informality while also acknowledging that such informality is to be bound by an appreciation for due process and fair procedures. Therefore, I support this amendment.