WRITTEN QUESTION E-0107/01

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Council

(1 February 2001)

Subject: Failure of Ireland to appoint an ombudsman for farming

Why has Ireland not appointed an ombudsman for farming?

Reply

(14 May 2001)

The European Parliament shall appoint an Ombudsman after each election of the European Parliament for the duration of its term of office. The Ombudsman presently in office is M. Jacob Söderman. He receives complaints and conducts inquiries concerning instances of maladministration in the activities of the Community institutions or bodies, with the exception of the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance acting in their judicial role.

The particular question concerning Ireland and the appointment of an ombudsman for farming raised by the Honourable Member is a matter of national competence and does not fall within the competence of the Community.