Ahern hails impact of ombudsmen

Ombudsmen play a crucial role in ensuring the equality and human rights of citizens are respected, it was claimed today.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said it was important that people everywhere could aspire to fair treatment by state institutions.

The Dundalk TD told the British and Irish Ombudsman Association (BIOA) in Dublin Castle that co-operation was deepening between the Republic and the North on equality issues.

“The Irish Government, for its part, committed itself in the Good Friday Agreement to further strengthening the protection of human rights in the South and to ensuring at least an equivalent level of protection of human rights as in the North.

The Agreement established the Human Rights Commissions in Dublin and Belfast.

Mr Ahern added: “The British Irish Ombudsman’s Association plays an important role in bringing together those on these islands who have been entrusted with responsibility for ensuring the rights of individuals are upheld by the organs of the state.

“It is important that we all aspire to common standards of fair treatment and equality, regardless of where we live.”

The BIOA was formed in 1994 to promote closer co-operation on these islands.

After appointing its first Ombudsman in 1984, Ireland now had a Pensions Ombudsman, an Ombudsman for Children, a Financial Services Ombudsman, and most recently, a Defence Forces Ombudsman.

The new Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission will be set up by early 2007.

Mr Ahern added: “The importance of the role of the Ombudsman in a modern democracy is that it places the individual and the rights of the individual centre stage. These rights are guaranteed for every citizen regardless of their standing in society.”

The minister praised the work of Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan who he said had transformed the policing landscape in the province.

He urged everybody to support the work of the PSNI and policing boards.

He said it was a tribute to Mrs O’Loan, that in such a politically charged environment, confidence in the impartiality of her office has grown to a remarkable 78% of the public, almost equally spread across the two communities.

“It is a striking affirmation of her success and a very hopeful indicator for the future of policing in Northern Ireland,” he added.

“All these structures are playing an important role in bringing accountability, transparency and reform to Northern Ireland and to North/South co-operation,” he told his audience.

Mr Ahern said the recall of the Northern Assembly has brought a precious opportunity to foster real political progress, and to chart the way for locally-elected politicians to make important decisions affecting the lives of every section of the community.