Ombudsman proposes appointment of Deputy Ombudsman

Parliamentary Ombudsman Anthony Mifsud outlined in the Ombudsplan 2017 primary objectives for the ensuing year and made proposals aimed at strengthening the Ombudsman’s institution, according to a statement.

One such proposal was the appointment of a Deputy Ombudsman from among the Commissioners to stand in for the Parliamentary Ombudsman when necessary.

According to the Ombudsplan 2017, the current procedure is cumbersome and can be easily simplified by appointing a Deputy Ombudsman from the Commissioners, even if for predetermined timespan.

“The Ombudman Act does not stipulate the appointment of a Deputy Ombudsman. It only caters to the appointment of a temporary Ombudsman in case that the Ombudsman is not in a position to fulfill his duties. However, this system does not allow the continuous fulfillment of the duties of the Ombudsman, because the process is of appointing a temporary Ombudsman is complex and requires a nomination from the President of Malta,” the Ombudsplan read.

Mifsud added that all this could be avoided if the act was amended to authorise the Ombudsman to appoint a Commissioner as Deputy Ombudsman. “The Commissioners are already accountable to parliament and enjoy the same immunities and guarantees as the Ombudsman,” he said, justifying the choice of candidates.