Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have three points in response. Regarding the resources available to the office of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, I recently visited its new facilities located around the corner from the Houses of the Oireachtas. Those new facilities allow the ombudsman’s office to meet citizens and follow up on issues raised. It will also be possible for the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman to be involved in mediation on important issues brought to the office.

Turning to the substantive issue raised by the Deputy, it is not unusual for the ombudsman, and similar bodies, to state that it will not adjudicate on issues that are either in the courts or have been dealt with by the courts. That is because one of the roles of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman is to try to provide alternative ways to resolve issues apart from having to go to court.

Third, as I have said, if the Deputy will give me the details, as he has said he will do, I will follow up on the matter. In my engagement with the ombudsman's office, I have found that it takes and discharges its responsibilities very seriously. I discussed with the ombudsman's office the specific consequences that may affect the organisation in trying to deal with the tracker mortgage issue.

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