Peter Tyndall Appointed as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner

President Michael D. Higgins officiated at the appointment ceremony of Ireland's Ombudsman and Information Commissioner. Peter Tyndall takes over the position from Emily O'Reilly as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner. Mr. Tyndall was Public Service Ombudsman for Wales from 2008 to 2013. He was formally appointed by Minister for Public Reform, Brendan Howlin T.D. The Office of the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner remit was extended in 2012 and allows complaints from the public to a wide range of public bodies.

Mr. Tyndall was appointed Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in 2008 and served a two year term as Chairman of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association. Mr. Tyndall is originally from Dublin but has worked for more than 30 years in Wales. He holds a MSc in Strategic Management from Cardiff University, he is married with 3 daughters.

Minister Howlin said “Mr Tyndall brings considerable experience and expertise to the position following his successful tenure as Public Service Ombudsman for Wales. I am confident that Mr Tyndall will successfully apply this expertise to the vital duties of Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, whose extended remit now covers all Government Departments, Local Authorities, the HSE, and some 180 additional public bodies, including publicly funded third level institutions and educational bodies, recently added through the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act, 2012.”

In accepting the appointment Mr Tyndall said "I am honoured to be appointed at such an exciting time for both Offices. The extension of the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction means that I will be able to assist members of the public in their dealings with an extensive range of public bodies, making sure they are treated fairly and receive the services to which they are entitled. The impending freedom of information legislation will also give greater scope to the role through the widening of the number of public bodies included within the FOI Act, and help to ensure they operate with transparency and openness."