Public voluntary hospitals, State-funded third-level colleges and non-commercial State bodies are all to become liable to investigation by the Ombudsman, in an extension of the office's powers agreed by Government, writes Frank McNally.
Introducing the proposals yesterday, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr Martin Cullen, called them "radical" and said they were the first extension of the office's remit since soon after the inaugural appointment in 1984.
The measures marked "a significant improvement in citizens' rights to challenge decisions made by State bodies", and would complement the Freedom of Information Act and the general reform of the public sector.