Recommendation 16

The Committee reiterates its call for the Government to introduce legislation to reform the PHSO and start consulting with relevant stakeholders and the public, on a cross-party basis, to ensure the Bill be brought forward as soon as possible. It is now six years since the publication of the Draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill and we are still no further forward. This situation is as unacceptable as it is untenable in the long term. A Private Member’s Bill might also be considered as a vehicle for reform.