As from January 2007 Gibraltar enjoys a new Constitution which makes the Ombudsman a Parliamentary Officer (Section 25(3)(b) of the Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006). Consequently, the former House of Assembly has now become the Gibraltar Parliament. With regard to the Ombudsman, the most noticeable effect of this development is that the Chief Minister is no longer required to lay the Ombudsman’s Annual Report in Parliament. Instead the Ombudsman may now request the speaker to lay his Annual Report in Parliament. This positive empowering development can be found in the Gibraltar Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders at Part IV - Papers, standing orders 12(3) and (4).

Dr Bernard Linares retired from politics at the time of the last General Elections in October 2007. Dr Linares was the Minister with responsibility for the Ombudsman for about two years prior to his retirement. Dr Linares was considered a friend by all in this office and we would like to publicly express our sincere gratitude for the encouragement and firm support that we always received from him. His positive references to the Ombudsman in the Gibraltar Parliament have also served to enhance the standing of the Ombudsman in our community. All of us at the Office of the Ombudsman wish him a long and happy retirement.

I would like to thank the people of Gibraltar for their support, especially those who when confronted with a grievance have decided to seek our assistance. I also wish to thank those persons who have responded to our Customer Satisfaction of Service Survey; their comments are most welcome and assist in our continuous assessment and efforts to improve our service. Finally, I have to give my most sincere thanks to my staff, without whom this report would not have been possible.