Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A number of misrepresentations have been made by the Opposition and I want to clear up the factual situation. The Ombudsman Act is entirely silent on how the Houses of the Oireachtas should deal with a special report laid before each House. The Ombudsman presented a special report to each House of the Oireachtas at which time she invited them to consider the report and "take whatever action they deem appropriate". It is a matter for the Oireachtas to order its business. The Dáil and Seanad have dealt with the Ombudsman's report by way of statements on 4 February and 18 February respectively.

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