Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

Whatever the circumstances, and I intend to look into the matter a little further, it is certainly an institution that has stood the test of time in Sweden and has spread across much of the developed world.

Senator Quinn referred to the several valuable reports produced by the Ombudsman. Undoubtedly, her office constitutes an important safeguard. It is not the only constitutional or other safeguard we have - this House is another safeguard - but it is an important safeguard, particularly where people's rights are concerned. The Senator gave a very good example with the case of the 88 year old woman in a nursing home. With regard to making the Financial Regulator and other State financial institutions subject to the Freedom of Information Act, the Act contains protections for commercially sensitive information. That would apply to nearly all the transactions of those bodies. It appears a great deal more thought will have to go into how and if one can apply freedom of information to those bodies.

Finally, as Senator MacSharry pointed out, the Ombudsman has recommended improvements, many of which have been adopted. These will always be given careful consideration.