Cut out the middle-man says Nicholson - NI public should be able to complain directly to the Ombudsman
Ulster Unionist Member of the European Parliament Jim Nicholson MEP has called today for members of the public to be able to refer complaints they have about Government departments, government agencies and local government directly to the Northern Ireland ombudsman without having to have their case referred by a member of Northern Ireland Assembly.
Mr Nicholson said that cutting out the middle man would make the ombudsman’s office more accessible to the general public and help to create more accountable and transparent government.
In an interview in a Belfast newspaper last week, the Northern Ireland ombudsman, Tom Frawley said that important changes could soon be on the agenda for the office, which would bring it, closer to the people.
In a statement Mr Nicholson said,
“Recently I was contacted by a constituent, who having exhausted the complaints process, wanted to complain to the Ombudsman in Northern Ireland about the conduct of a Government Department. When I began the process for my constituent I soon discovered that as an MEP I was not able to refer the case to the ombudsman on behalf of my constituent. It had to be an MLA.
“The fact that members of the public who want to complain about Government must have their case referred by an MLA creates an unnecessary hurdle and slows the entire process down.
“Surely, in the interests of accountable and transparent Government it would be better for members of the public to go straight to the ombudsman themselves therefore cutting out the middle man.
“This is entirely consistent with practice in other devolved regions of the UK. The people of Scotland and Wales can complain directly to the ombudsman without it being referred by a Member of the Scottish Parliament or Welsh Assembly.
“I would like to see the First Minister, as a matter of urgency, initiate a review of the workings of the Ombudsman’s office to see where changes to its operation could be made.”