Ombudsman says some cases should be referred to parliament for action

Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino said today that in the rare instances when the government does not implement recommendations by the Ombudsman, the law should provide that the issue should be referred to Parliament for its decision.

Prof Said Pullicino made his suggestion when he welcomed the Speaker, Michael Frendo at his office in Valletta.

He explained that while the Ombudsman should not have executive powers, the law should be amended so that when his case recommendations are not taken up by the government, the cases would be discussed by a parliamentary committee. A political decision would then be taken.

Prof Said Pullicino observed that this suggestion was not included in a Bill, currently before the House, which extends the remit of the Office of the Ombudsman by bringing under its aegis the 'commissioners' appointed for specific organisations, such as the Mepa audit-officer and the University ombudsman.

Dr Frendo described the Ombudsman's suggestion as 'interesting' and said he would refer it to the Parliamentary House Business Committee.

Prof Said Pullicino said there were only six cases in the past five years where the recommendations of the Ombudsman were not adopted by the Executive.