Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

Senator John Paul Phelan asked on section 19 about the funding of the ombudsman's office. The Minister of State outlined that not alone do the Bar Council and the Law Society have to fund the ombudsman's office but all future pensions of the ombudsman and the staff. That will be a huge cost in future and there is no provision in the Bill for pensions for ombudsmen or their staff. Will the person who makes the complaint be charged? The ordinary client of the solicitor pays anyway, because it will be taken into account when deciding costs.