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Integrity Scorecard

2007 Assessment

Italy: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Italy: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: National Ombudsman
Indicators		Score
52	In law, is there a national ombudsman, public protector or equivalent agency (or collection of agencies) covering the entire public sector?	100
53	Is the national ombudsman effective?	86
54	Can citizens access the reports of the ombudsman?	100

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

In law, is there a national ombudsman, public protector or equivalent agency (or collection of agencies) covering the entire public sector?

52: In law, is there a national ombudsman, public protector or equivalent agency (or collection of agencies) covering the entire public sector?

Score:

YES

Comments: Italy does not yet have a national ombudsman or a national committee on petitions. However, it does have a network of regional ombudsmen.

References: Law 267, August 18, 2000, art. 11

Is the national ombudsman effective?

53a: In law, the ombudsman is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: Regional statutes discipline the independence of regional ombudsmen.

References: Regioanl laws setting up ombudsmen: see texts at [ LINK ]

53b: In practice, the ombudsman is protected from political interference.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports Relazioni [ LINK ]

53c: In practice, the head of the ombudsman agency/entity is protected from removal without relevant justification.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

53d: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports Relazioni [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: They have other jobs.

53e: In practice, agency appointments support the independence of the ombudsman agency (or agencies).

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

53f: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) receives regular funding.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: It is insufficient and not publicized enough.

53g: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) makes publicly available reports.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

53h: In practice, when necessary, the national ombudsman (or equivalent agency or agencies) initiates investigations.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The agency aggressively starts investigations -- or participates fully with cooperating agencies\' investigations -- into judicial misconduct. The agency is fair in its application of this power. <p>50 Score Criteria: The agency will start or cooperate in investigations, but often relies on external pressure to set priorities, or has limited effectiveness when investigating. The agency, though limited in effectiveness, is still fair in its application of power. <p>0 Score Criteria: The agency rarely investigates on its own or cooperates in other agencies\' investigations, or the agency is partisan in its application of this power.$

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

53i: In practice, when necessary, the national ombudsman (or equivalent agency or agencies) imposes penalties on offenders.

Score:

100

Comments: The ombusman has no sanctioning powers but cooperates well with those bodies that do.

References: [ LINK ]

53j: In practice, the government acts on the findings of the ombudsman agency (or agencies).

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: Ombudsman\'s reports are taken seriously, with negative findings drawing prompt corrective action. <p>50 Score Criteria: In most cases, ombudsman\'s reports are acted on, though some exceptions may occur for politicalally sensitive issues, or particularly resistant agencies. <p>0 Score Criteria: Ombudsman reports are often ignored, or given superficial attention. Ombudsman reports do not lead to policy changes.$

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

53k: In practice, the ombudsman agency (or agencies) acts on citizen complaints within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

Can citizens access the reports of the ombudsman?

54a: In law, citizens can access reports of the ombudsman(s).

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

54b: In practice, citizens can access the reports of the ombudsman(s) within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]

54c: In practice, citizens can access the reports of the ombudsman(s) at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Reports: Relazioni [ LINK ]