Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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442. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of expressions of interest he and his Department received from persons interested in being appointed to the Office of the Ombudsman following on from public advertisement for the position over the summer; if he is satisfied with the procedure undertaken to seek the suitable candidates for the position; if the Public Appointments Service was used for this purpose and if not, the reason for same; if interview took place; the number of persons interviewed and by whom; if he intends to bring forward candidates for the position to the Oireachtas Public Services Oversight and Petitions Committee for scrutiny and questioning prior to the approval of a candidate by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37127/13]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The process to be followed in the appointment of a new Ombudsman is set out in the Ombudsman Act 1980, as amended. This appointment is made by the President following nomination by resolution of each House of the Oireachtas. Since the Freedom of Information Act 1997 came into force, the Ombudsman has also held the office of Information Commissioner. Appointment to the post is by a similar process to that of the Ombudsman.

The practice in the past under previous administrations was for the relevant Minister to ask the Government to note the name of the proposed nominee for the position prior to the resolutions before both Houses of the Oireachtas. I considered that the most satisfactory approach to the nomination process was to invite expressions of interest for the appointment by public advertisement. It was not felt necessary to involve the Public Appointments Service in the nomination process. Some 35 expressions of interest have been received and the assessment of candidates is being undertaken at present.

The Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 provides that the appointment may be preceded by consideration by a committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas as may be designated by the relevant Minister. It is my intention that once a nominee has been approved by the Government a referral will be made to the Public Services Oversight and Petitions Committee.