Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the witnesses for attending and for going through the 2023 and 2024 reports. Since 2019, there has been a significant increase in complaints - almost 30% - to the Ombudsman. What are the underlying drivers of that trend? Does Mr. Deering feel that is more because people's awareness is growing regarding the role of the Ombudsman and what he can do or there is a weakening of our public service, leading to more incidents occurring that require people to go that far and complain?