Parliamentary Ombudsman presents Case Notes 2024 to the Speaker of the House

Parliamentary Ombudsman presents Case Notes 2024 to the Speaker of the House

Published August 20, 2025

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, has today presented the 44th edition of the Case Notes 2024 to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Anġlu Farrugia.

This bilingual publication brings together a selection of 36 investigations concluded during 2024 by the Ombudsman and the three specialised Commissioners – for Health, Education and Environment and Planning. This publication provides readers with clear summaries of complaints, the issues that emerged, and the outcomes reached, explained in language that is accessible to the wider public while offering lessons of value to public authorities.

This year’s edition includes cases ranging from disputes about vehicle towing procedures and ferry fare policies, to questions of fairness in recruitment within the education sector, to challenges arising in planning regularisations and environmental management. Other cases highlight the Ombudsman’s role in safeguarding access to healthcare, including equitable treatment for patients requiring specialised medication or procedures abroad.

In his foreword to the publication, the Ombudsman emphasised that investigations carried out by his Office should not be seen as hostile encounters but as part of the accountability loop. Through the Case Notes, the Ombudsman and his Commissioners seek to encourage public authorities to strengthen their internal quality control systems, including effective complaint-handling mechanisms, in order to improve standards of governance and service to the public.

The Case Notes 2024 is intended for a broad readership and provides insight into the importance of accountability and transparency in public administration.