Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

We agree to the Order of Business. I thank the Leader for placing No. 3 on the Order Paper as it will allow us to debate the matter in the House. I appreciate the swiftness with which she responded to the debate on the matter in the House yesterday.

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman celebrated its 20th anniversary. Since it was established, a number of very distinguished people have held the office. Two suggestions were made by the current Ombudsman, Ms O'Reilly, to which the Government should respond. She suggested that the office should be written into the Constitution to ensure its independence and, more importantly, that the remit of the Ombudsman legislation should be extended to include semi-State non-commercial bodies and the voluntary hospital sector. This immediately drew fire from lawyers and hospital consultants who objected to her suggestion.

We need to extend the remit of the Ombudsman. Moreover, a commitment was given by the Government in 1997 that the remit should be extended. It is important that professionals should come within the remit of the Ombudsman in the same way as Departments and Ministers. It would help the process of accountability and transparency in the State if the duties and performance of bodies which currently have the power to self-regulate, were also regulated by the Ombudsman. The suggestion should be debated in the House and a proposal made to the Government because we have a responsibility to ensure the legislation in respect of the Office of the Ombudsman is fully used to the advantage of all citizens.