LOST AT SEA SCHEME

Special Report by the Ombudsman

December 2009

LOST AT SEA SCHEME|Special Report by the Ombudsman

Contents

THIS REPORT 3

Part One

SPECIAL REPORT TO EACH HOSE O THE OIREACHTAS - 6THE REASOS H.

Appendices

(A) Response of the Department of Agriculture, isheries and ood(the Department) to the Investigation Report -11 ebruary 2009 10(B) Response of the Ombudsman to the Department’s letterof 11 ebruary 2009 - 13 March 2009 13(C) Response of the Department to the Ombudsman’s letterof 13 March 2009 - 23 April 2009 15(D) Response of the Ombudsman to the Department’s letterof 23 April 2009 - 5 June 2009 17(E) urther Letter to the Ombudsman from theDepartment - 30 July 2009 20

Part Two

IESTIATIO REPORT (OEMBER 2008)

Introduction 25

1. The Complaint 252. Background 263. Preliminary Examination 274. Investigation Interviews 385. The Department’s iles and Key Records 396. Evidence athered During Interviews 477. Analysis of the Main Issues 58