The Parliamentary Ombudsman meets the Principal Permanent Secretary and Permanent Secretaries

Published February 04, 2025

The Parliamentary Ombudsman meets the Principal Permanent Secretary and Permanent Secretaries

Published February 04, 2025

Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, participated in a meeting organised by the Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Audit Office. The meeting, entitled “Insaħħu l-ħidma ta’ bejnietna”, was addressed by the Principal Permanent Secretary, Mr Tony Sultana, the Auditor General, Mr Charles Deguara, and the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Professor Edward Warrington, an academic with forty-six years’ experience in governmental reform, lecturing, consulting, and scholarly research, moderated the event.

The meeting, which also included Permanent Secretaries from all ministries, was aimed at enhancing and strengthening collaboration between the Public Administration and the two integrity institutions. The objective is to achieve higher levels of good governance in public service delivery and to reinforce accountability.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman emphasised the importance of cooperation from the public service and public administration when investigations are underway. He urged that timely provision of information is critical, noting that the Ombudsman's role is to act as an independent overseer of public administration. He added that those who approach the Ombudsman's office often find themselves facing closed doors, and many times, individuals require someone to listen, understand, explain, and guide them.

He also stressed that when the Ombudsman rules in favour of a complainant and recommends redress, it is expected that the public bodies respond promptly and implement the recommendations. Investigations conducted by the Ombudsman's office are carried out meticulously and fairly, and the resulting recommendations, beyond providing redress for the complainant, are intended to improve the public administration. The Ombudsman expressed his desire to see the implementation rate, which stood at 78% in 2024, increase further in 2025.

The Principal Permanent Secretary, Mr Tony Sultana, noted that permanent structures are in place to ensure timely action on Ombudsman cases and recommendations. Each ministry has a designated liaison officer who acts as the link between the Office of the Ombudsman and the relevant department or entity. Additionally, the Governance Action Directorate, which operates under the remit of the Office of the Principal Permanent Secretary, plays a key role. This small team maintains regular contact with liaison officers, providing guidance and training on best practices for resolving impasses and on reporting standards and methods.