Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 98:

In page 45, subsection (2), lines 3 to 5, to delete paragraph (a).

A similar amendment was discussed yesterday in regard to the Garda Commissioner which my colleague, Senator Ryan, withdrew. He took on board what the Minister said. This amendment is in a different category in that it deals with the ombudsman commission. The prohibition on the expression of opinions on the merits of Government policy is incorrect. When changes were proposed in regard to the operation of the Freedom of Information Act, it was appropriate that the former Information Commissioner was able to express a point of view on the proposed changes. If a similar situation arose once the ombudsman commission is up and running or, let us say, if after a couple of years the Minister of the day decided to make changes, I suggest it would be of benefit to get the view of the ombudsman commission on the proposed changes.

The members of the commission should be able to express their views and I am concerned that this provision would prevent them from doing so. They, more than anybody, would know whether there were problems in terms of the operation of the legislation. I ask the Minister to reconsider the matter for that reason.