Photo: Mr. Bernie Bush, Chairman of the Oversight Committee. (Parliament)

Parliament’s Ombudsman Oversight Committee to Hold Meeting in the Chamber 

GEORGE TOWN, 23rd January 2025

The Standing Select Committee to Oversee the Performance of the Office of the Ombudsman (“the Committee”) will hold a televised public meeting in the Chamber of the House of Parliament on 19th February, 2025 (rescheduled from Tuesday, 28th January, 2025), from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., pursuant to a resolution passed by the Committee.

The agenda for the public meeting lists the 2023 Annual Report from the Office of the Ombudsman as its primary discussion topic. The Ombudsman, Mrs. Sharon Roulstone, will respond to Members’ questions and provide the public with information from the report, which was Tabled in the Parliament on 24th July, 2024 in the Third Sitting of the Fourth Meeting of the 2023-2024 Session.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Bernie A. Bush, MP, emphasised the importance of public engagement: “The Office of the Ombudsman plays an essential role in ensuring that the public’s concerns are addressed fairly and impartially. This meeting reflects our commitment to transparency while creating opportunities for the public to better understand the work of the Ombudsman and her team.”

Committee Member Mr. Christopher Saunders, MP, echoed these sentiments, adding: “It is vital that the people of the Cayman Islands are aware of the resources available to them through the Office of the Ombudsman. Holding these meetings publicly not only informs the community but also reinforces the importance of good governance and oversight.”

The Ombudsman Committee is a Standing Select Committee established at the beginning of each parliamentary term through a Government Motion. Its primary mandate is to review the performance and budget of the Office of the Ombudsman, in accordance with Parliament Standing Orders and the Ombudsman Act. The Committee operates with a quorum of three Members and prepares an annual report on its activities for submission to Parliament.

Under Standing Order 72(5), select committees are to meet in private unless authorised by a resolution to do otherwise. In 2022, the Committee approved a resolution allowing it to hold meetings in the Chamber during the 2021–2025 Term. The meeting is intended to provide the public with greater insight into the activities of the Office of the Ombudsman, and to promote awareness of the resources available to the community.

The current Members of the Ombudsman Committee are:

• Mr. Bernie A. Bush, MP – Chair
• Hon. Johany S. “Jay” Ebanks, MP – Member
• Mr. Christopher S. Saunders, MP – Member
• Hon. Joseph X. Hew, MP – Member
• Mr. David C. Wight, JP, MP – Member

The public is invited to tune in to the proceedings through the Government’s YouTube channel. Follow the Parliament’s Facebook and Instagram stories for more ways to tune in. The public are also welcome to attend in person at the House of Parliament after registering with Security.

For more information about the Ombudsman Committee and its functions, please visit the Parliament’s official website: https://parliament.ky/business/committees/ombudsman- committee.