Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The amendments I have tabled are Nos. 7, 9, 11, 18, 22 and 27. These six amendments all deal with the same issue, which is the four categories of determination that the ombudsman can make findings on as a result of this legislation. I welcome the fact that the proposal that I have made previously on my own legislation has been accepted by all parties. After further consideration and discussion with the office of the ombudsman. I have considered to amend the language on how we address this issue to one that would be more favourable to consumers. The proposal is to replace the "substantially rejected" proposal in my own legislation with "partially upheld". It is a more positive finding for the consumer and allows for three different categories of upheld decisions to be found by the ombudsman, which are upheld, substantially upheld or partially upheld. The fourth possible decision is rejected. After further consideration of these amendments there is a technical issue in terms of the drafting but not the substance. I understand that the Government has no objection to the new wording, but because there is a drafting issue I withdraw all six amendments and will table a new version of them on Report Stage.