Ombudsman must be given hearing at Joint Committee on Constitution

Fine Gael’s Agriculture Spokesperson, Michael Creed TD, today (Friday) called on the Joint Committee on the Constitution to give the Ombudsman an opportunity to outline her concerns about the shortfalls of the parliamentary system, in light of the Taoiseach’s continued resistance to discussion of the Lost at Sea report.

“The Cowen/Fahey axis was strengthened further this week by the Taoiseach’s continued refusal to allow the Joint Committee on Agriculture to investigate the Ombudsman’s Lost at Sea report and its findings.

“The Ombudsman has reiterated this morning her serious concerns about the ramifications this decision will have for her Office and the wider political system, indicating parliamentary tactics by Government parties have effectively stripped her office of its influence.

“It is clear that the Oireachtas’ role in holding the Executive to account has been thwarted and undermined by Government parties at every available opportunity in this case. The Taoiseach’s persistent refusal this week to deal with the issue is nothing more than a partisan circling of the Fianna Fáil wagons.

“I am writing to the Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Constitution today to request that the Ombudsman is invited to appear before the Committee without delay to discuss her concerns and I am calling on all members of the Committee to allow the Ombudsman a fair hearing, in the context of the Committee’s work on political reform.”