Ombudsman warns public bodies cannot ignore recommendations; calls for select committee

The Parliamentary Ombudsman has presented his Ombudsplan 2027, renewing a pointed warning to public authorities: ignoring his recommendations is not acceptable. Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon delivered the plan to Speaker Carmelo Abela on Thursday, ahead of its tabling in parliament. The Ombudsman stressed that while his recommendations are not legally binding, public bodies cannot simply disregard them without accountability.

When a recommendation is rejected, the Ombudsman argued, the responsible authority must provide reasons. Those reasons can then be scrutinised for their factual basis, legality, rationality, and consistency with the principles of good administration. Disagreement with a proposed remedy is permitted, but it must be open to examination.

At the heart of the Ombudsplan is a renewed call for a parliamentary select committee to consider cases where final opinions remain unimplemented. The Ombudsman wants the Standing Orders of the House to allow such reports to be referred to a committee capable of holding the public administration to account.

The plan also revives several long-standing reform proposals. These include pausing legal limitation periods while his office investigates complaints, establishing an independent national human rights body, and introducing broader legal protections against discrimination under Protocol 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Ombudsman further proposed that the right to good administration be given legal recognition, encompassing impartial and timely handling of affairs, the right to be heard before adverse measures, access to relevant files, and an obligation on public authorities to explain their decisions.

The Ombudsman’s office reported continued growth in public engagement. Between January and August 2026, it received 403 complaints, a 4% increase over the same period in 2025. Requests for assistance surged 36%, with 684 people helped even when their concerns did not become formal complaints. The Ombudsman called this a sign of growing awareness and confidence in the institution.

On the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Ombudsplan notes that the Office has not been informed of any appointment to Malta’s independent screening mechanism, despite discussions with the security ministry. The Ombudsman also said he was not invited to participate in its operations.

For the business community, these developments matter. A public administration that can be held accountable for ignoring oversight recommendations creates a more predictable environment for dealing with permits, licences, and other administrative decisions. The push for a select committee and legal reforms signals a potential shift toward greater transparency and procedural fairness, which could reduce uncertainty for companies operating in Malta.

The Ombudsplan 2027 is scheduled for further discussion by the House Business Committee at a later date.