what is an ombudsman?

[kemist]

i remember about being taught in primary school about the ombudsman. i occasionally notice ads in the papers about an ombudsman visit to certain areas.
please help the 're-educating kemist on the ombudsman' drive, :oops: by posting any knowledge you may have about the specifics of his function, responsibilities and legal powers/abilities.

[rags]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ombudsman
An ombudsman (English plural: ombudsmans or ombudsmen) is an official, usually (but not always) appointed by the government or by parliament, who is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints reported by individual citizens. In some jurisdictions, the Ombudsman is referred to, at least officially, as the 'Parliamentary Commissioner' (e.g., the West Australian state Ombudsman). The word ombudsman and its specific meaning, Swedish in origin, have since been adopted in to English as well as other languages, and ombudsmen have been instituted by other governments and organizations such as the European Union.

[kemist]

tyvm rags,

I know that investigating and addressing complaints of citizens is his job. I am a bit more interested in specifics on how he can address the complaints. Like what resources and how much legal authority does he have to address complaints, and can he take action on behalf of citizens.
Or, is his capacity strictly limited to investigating and reporting back to parliament?

[vaio]

kemist you can check the T&T constitution....

[KFCSpicy]

next time post a link Vaio...doh assume we want to go google eh? DOh make meh come to Trinidad and tell yuh boss how yuh pretending to wuk while dey wasnt dey. Get de link man...shimps! is everything ah hah to tell u so? :shock:

[dhal]

tyvm rags,

I know that investigating and addressing complaints of citizens is his job. I am a bit more interested in specifics on how he can address the complaints. Like what resources and how much legal authority does he have to address complaints, and can he take action on behalf of citizens.
Or, is his capacity strictly limited to investigating and reporting back to parliament?

u are right. there is one ombudsman for the country. he investigates complaints of citizens and reports to parliament. he can only investogate a complaint..he cant jus investigate smth he wants to. he has few resources (practically speaking) and limited powers...

[vaio]

next time post a link Vaio...doh assume we want to go google eh? DOh make meh come to Trinidad and tell yuh boss how yuh pretending to wuk while dey wasnt dey. Get de link man...shimps! is everything ah hah to tell u so? :shock:

:cry: :x is not like ah have time to google it mehself....oh gorm....ah sure they cld just do it for themselves... :twisted:

Besides, ah not pretending...i am just working very clever... :mrgreen:

[skl]

LOL.

the link to the TT ombudsman

http://www.ombudsman.gov.tt/

they have some usefull info on the left. like the duties and a schedule of visits

[kemist]

Thanks ski

[Sumana]

My friend actually wrote the ombudsman, and got a good response had a problem dealt with, when i'm not feelin so lazy i'll type it