Legislation to Update and Reform the Office of the N I Ombudsman.

AIDAN QUINN made this Freedom of Information request to Executive Office (Northern Ireland) This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.

This request has been withdrawn by the person who made it. There may be an explanation in the correspondence below.

Dear Executive Office (Northern Ireland),

A Consultation Paper with the above title was at one time issued by the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Such Consultation Paper was welcomed by all.

It was at one time recognised that Public Confidence in Ombudspersons is essential. Such confidence can never be too high.It was at one time recognised that Ombudspersons need to have a reputation for Listening, not for Noting and Filing.

This Consultation Paper doesn’t seem to have been heard of for a long time.

When is it hoped to have the findings, and any proposals for Reform available? Are there, for example any proposals for Ombudspersons, like Doctors, to undertake 360 degree appraisal?
There is no doubt that any such proposals would also be widely welcomed.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Hi, we're a little late but not to worry.
The longevity of the traditional Ulster Note and File Only Order endlessly fascinates people.
Is their any record on file of such a Order ever being successfully challenged by the Ombudsman's Office?
Would it be possible please to have the response on paper please, by land mail, and signed off at an appropriate Authorised level? Thanks.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Dear Executive Office (Northern Ireland),

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

In view of delays in dealing with these matters, could I please ask for an Internal Review, with the findings delivered to me by post, if that’s all right?

In case of difficulty, we are all indeed fortunate that the esteemed current Interim Head of Service, (like the honoured previous Permanent Head of Service having been for many years formally Accountable for all aspects of both policy and implementation of policy in the former DRD/DOE), has an excellent knowledge of all issues involved and of the thinking behind all decisions. He will also of course have long acquaintance with my postal address so there is no need for delay on that score.

Also to avoid delay, do please be sure to run the response past him and ensure his total agreement, since that is something that the Scottish Parliament who, I understand, have overall responsibility for dealing with any possible complaints, may wish to have checked.

Good Luck I wish you well, and I am sorry for any inconvenience.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/l...

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Dear Executive Office (Northern Ireland),
Hi I don’t like to seem in anyway impatient but the thing is that Outsourcers, like Capita for instance, are very much in the Market spotlight these days. Bondholders are apparently known to be be mobilising to prepare for a radical financial restructuring of the company. There are rumours of errors in assessment processes leading to pervasive lack of trust and untenable human costs. When I advise that the shares of Capita for instance, have lost over two thirds of their value in the last financial quarter, I think we all get the picture.

I know it is probably unnecessary but this short note, then, is just a reminder that, in these circumstances, given the HR Connect link, and to avoid any possible future allegations of cover up or non-disclosure it is more than ever crucial that all FOI Requests that could possibly impact on the share price or valuation of outsourcing companies are answered in a full, complete, open and timely manner just as Parliament intended.

Good Luck. I wish you well.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Dear Executive Office (Northern Ireland),
Hi as follow up, is there any record of Capita or its advisers at any time querying the Safety, Legality and Humanity of Note and File Only Orders, objecting to their use, or even asking to be released from the HR Connect contract ?
Alternatively, did Capita at all times seem totally happy to comply with Note and File requirements without either Query or Complaint? Do please let us know the position.
Good Luck, I wish you well.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Dear Executive Office (Northern Ireland),
Hi this Internal Review has been ongoing for over a month now and I think we all know it isn’t really getting anywhere. Don’t worry, Note and File Only Requirements with the ever-present risk of sacking for Reviewers failing to comply are not easy for anybody, maybe not Safe and not Healthy. Internal Reviewing staff are owed a Duty of Care too.

Maybe it’s best if we both just jointly accept that the FOI system is not really compatible with Ulster Note and File Only requirements and I just, on Health and Safety grounds, quietly withdraw, at least on a temporary basis, both the original Query and the Request for internal Review?

Please let me know what you think? Should matters ease, the Query and Request for Review can always be reinstated, no problem, and matters regularised.

Good Luck. As ever I wish you well. Keep safe, tour staff too.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN