Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. That is quite a comprehensive response. I will not press the amendment. I would make the point that the amendment is crafted in a way that it does not make it mandatory. Even where the complainant requests an oral hearing, there is discretion on the part of the ombudsman because it only applies where the difference or discrepancy in the evidence is fundamental to arriving at the conclusion. It is not in every case that a complainant would want to have an oral hearing but we should not take the human element out of proceedings. Some people like to have the opportunity to make their case in person, face to face with a human being, and I do not believe we should remove that. I accept that mediation is the preferred route and can be successful in many cases so I will withdraw the amendment and reserve the right to resubmit it for Report Stage.