Paragraph 31 I1

in subsection (3) for “Secretary of State” substitute “Department of Justice”;

after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A)

Where it appears to the Ombudsman that an investigation may relate wholly or in part to—

(a)

a matter in respect of which a function is conferred or imposed on the Secretary of State by or under a statutory provision, or

(b)

an excepted matter or reserved matter (within the meaning given by section 4 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998),

the Ombudsman shall also immediately inform the Secretary of State of the matters mentioned in subsection (3)(a) to (c).”; and

after subsection (5) insert—

“(6)

The Ombudsman shall send a copy of his report to the Department of Justice, if the investigation relates wholly or in part to a matter in respect of which a function is conferred or imposed on the Department of Justice by or under a statutory provision.”