Kevin Murphy (ombudsman)

For other people named Kevin Murphy, see Kevin Murphy (disambiguation).

Kevin Murphy
Picture of Kevin Murphy
Ombudsman
In office
1 November 1994 – 31 May 2003
Preceded byMichael Mills
Succeeded byEmily O'Reilly
Information Commissioner
In office
21 April 1998 – 31 May 2003
Preceded byNew office
Succeeded byEmily O'Reilly
Personal details
Born(1937-04-09)9 April 1937
Died (aged 75)
Dublin, Ireland
NationalityIrish

Kevin Murphy (9 April 1937 – 5 March 2012)[1] was an Irish civil servant who served as Ombudsman from 1994 to 2003 and Information Commissioner from 1998 to 2003.[2]

Career

He was educated at Synge Street CBS before joining the civil service in 1955.[1]

Murphy served in the Department of Industry and Commerce, in the Department of Finance, and joined the newly created Department of the Public Service in 1973. He became Secretary-General of the latter in 1983. In 1987, he was appointed Secretary-General, Public Service Management and Development, at the Department of Finance, when the functions of the Department of the Public Service were transferred.

On 1 November 1994, Murphy was appointed as Ombudsman by the president, Mary Robinson, upon nomination by both Houses of the Oireachtas.[3][4] In this position, he dealt with complaints against government departments, local authorities, and other public bodies. Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 1997, he also held the office of Information Commissioner from April 1998.[5] The Information Commissioner may review decisions of public bodies in relation to requests for access to information.

He was nominated for a second term in 2000.[6][7] Before his retirement, he wrote a commentary on the government's amendments to Freedom of Information Act. Michael McDowell, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, criticised him for straying across the line.[8]

In June 2003, Emily O'Reilly succeeded him in both posts.[9] Although Murphy retired from employment in 2002 when he turned 65, he continued in public life, including sitting on a committee to appoint members of the new Irish Press commission in 2006.[10]

Personal life

Murphy was educated at Synge Street CBS.[5]

He was married with four children and died 6 March 2012, aged 75.[5][11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Former ombudsman passionate in defence of citizens". The Irish Times. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  2. ^ "History of the Office of the Ombudsman". Office of the Ombudsman. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Appointment of Ombudsman: Motion – Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil) – Vol. 443 No. 5". Oireachtas. 1 June 1994.
  4. ^ "Appointment of Ombudsman: Motion – Seanad Éireann (20th Seanad) – Vol. 140 No. 14". Oireachtas. 15 June 1994.
  5. ^ a b c IJPP Obituaries Archived 12 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Irish Journal of Public Policy. 2012-05-22.
  6. ^ "Appointment of Ombudsman: Motion – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Vol. 552 No. 3". Oireachtas. 28 June 2000.
  7. ^ "Appointment of Ombudsman: Motion – Seanad Éireann (21st Seanad) – Vol. 163 No. 26". Oireachtas. 30 June 2000.
  8. ^ "Ahern defends FoI Act proposals". RTÉ News. 11 March 2003. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  9. ^ Kevin Donovan (25 March 2003). "Emily O'Reilly selected as new Ombudsman". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 20 November 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  10. ^ Reid, Liam (6 December 2006). "Press council: how it will be composed". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  11. ^ "Tribute paid to man of "immense courage"". The Irish Times. 6 March 2012. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.