Children’s watchdog fears for future of office

Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan has called for new accountability structures to ensure the independence of Ombudsman institutions.

“As I finish my tenure next year, I am of course concerned about the future of this office because we have witnessed how independent institutions can be subject to politics,” said Ms Logan.

She yesterday marked her 10th year in office by calling for a dedicated Oireachtas committee charged with determining the budgets of ombudsman institutions.

There has been concern that the independence of the work of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has been undermined by political interference, although Ms Logan made no direct reference to that body.

At a conference in Dublin, Ms Logan said that, as Ombudsman for Children — a presidential appointment — she reported directly to the Oireachtas.

However, she did not belive ombudsman institutions enjoyed the level of independence needed to secure their future in a mature and well-functioning democracy.

Currently, funding for ombudsman institutions comes through individual departments.

“I believe that, in order to ensure and enhance the independence of such institutions, including my own office, an Oireachtas committee should be charged with determining our budgets, providing for financial accountability, as well as ensuring that people like me are doing their jobs,” said Ms Logan.

“The late taoiseach, Charles Haughey, famously slashed the funding for Ireland’s first ombudsman, Michael Mills, in what Mills described as personal hostility to both himself and his office.”

Ms Logan said her job as ombudsman was about improving standards of public administration and she often commented on systems of accountability that would enable individuals to be more effective.

“The Irish public service achieves a great deal for children and for the community every single day,” said Ms Logan. “Strengthening independence oversight allows for those services to become better.

“At a time when there is such disappointing and unwarranted criticism — indeed, at times, derision — directed at the public service, I believe the ombudsman can play a crucial role in rebuilding the public’s trust.”

Over the next two years, her office aims to enhance the position of children in legislation, including children affected by assisted human reproduction, children affected by surrogacy, children affected by adoption, and children raised by same-sex couples.

Ms Logan became Ireland’s first Ombudsman for Children in March 2004. Her first six-year term expired in December 2009.

She was re-appointed as Ombudsman for Children for a further six years following resolutions passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. She will leave the post next year.