asked the Minister for the Public Service when he expects to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the All-Party Committee for the establishment of an Office of Ombudsman.

The Government have not yet considered the legislation that will be necessary to give effect to the recommendations of the All-Party Committee for the establishment of an Office of Ombudsman. I am not, therefore, in a position to say when such legislation will be introduced.

I trust the Minister will recall that when he was a member of the committee there appeared to be a unanimous desire that the post of ombudsman be established as soon as possible. Will he therefore bring the matter to the attention of the Government at an early date because he can be assured of our readiness to facilitate the passage of necessary legislation?

The Deputy will, I am sure, understand that, while it is true that there was general agreement that such an office should be established, there are certain relatively minor matters on which there might be some differences of view. He will also recall that an effort was to be made to publicise the report of the committee before final decisions were taken. The degree of publication given might be regarded by some people as unsatisfactory and at the moment I am giving consideration to that matter as a preliminary step.

I am not sure what the Minister means by that. He will recall that the report in question received wide publicity and a great deal of comment and was generally welcomed by the media. I would respectfully suggest therefore that the necessary legal drafting could go ahead pending a decision in principle to introduce legislation. I trust the principle is not now in dispute.

As I indicated, the principle is not in dispute. Perhaps I have not made it quite clear, and I would like to make it clear now, that no formal publication of the report has taken place.

I do not agree.

I am so advised.