The Ombudsman’s observations on his office’s relationship with the administration and areas of concern that he believes need particular attention were included in his annual report for 2014, tabled in Parliament last night.

Reports by the autonomous and independent commissioners for education, health and environment, operating in an integrated administrative and investigative set-up with the Ombudsman, were also included.

He described 2014 as a year of consolidation following the implementation of radical changes charted in 2012, designed to improve the office’s services and its organisational structure.

The year in review was the first full year of the new administration; such scenario included a learning curve about the functions and powers of the office, the Ombudsman remarked.

It was noted that the Principal Permanent Secretary had instructed permanent secretaries to cooperate fully with the Ombudsman in his investigations and to give due consideration to his recommendations.

This instruction contributed significantly towards the development of a good rapport between the Office of the Ombudsman, ministries and government departments.

Relations with the public administration were described as “generally good”, with one or two exceptions.

He noted also that there have been instances where he was informed that the government was accepting to implement the office’s recommendations, even though it did not fully agree with his conclusions and their motivation.

Among the areas of concern, the Ombudsman remarked that transparency has to be the rule and not the exception.

Transparency and accountability, an essential element of the fundamental right of the citizen to a good public administration, could be assured only through correct and timely information on the actions of the executive and public authorities.

The Ombudsman said that he alerted Parliament on the need to address the issues surrounding the use of positions of trust, including their conformity with the Constitution, and confirmed his intention to pursue efforts in this direction.

Another issue highlighted by the Ombudsman dealt with the monitoring of the workings of selection boards by the Public Service Commission.

While remarking that his office has limited and residual jurisdiction to investigate the operations of the commission, the Ombudsman indicated his intention to develop the correct synergy to ensure that fairness and due process were not only practised but also seen to be applied.

Cases handled by the Office of the Ombudsman 2013 - 2014