Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are two parts to this amendment. Paragraph (a) provides for the consultation of a committee of the Houses before making any proposal to appoint an ombudsman. In order to strengthen the Ombudsman's relationship with the Oireachtas, I propose that the Ombudsman's role be enhanced by allowing the Oireachtas to have a view pre-appointment. Therefore, in the future, before the next Ombudsman is appointed, it is intended that the views of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Oversight and Petitions will be ascertained.

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