Call for constitutional recognition on 20th anniversary of Ombudsman

The Office of the Ombudsman has called for official constitutional recognition.

Speaking on the 20th anniversary of the institution in Ireland, Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly also asked for the remit of her office to be extended to cover the country's major hospitals.

The Ombudsman deals with about 10,000 complaints from the public each year on the administration of government bodies and local authorities.

Emily O'Reilly said in other European countries, the Ombudsman is a Constitutional officer and pointed out that the Constitutional Review Group recommended in 1996 that the status of the Ombudsman should be recognised in the Constitution.