Michael Mills 1984-1994

Ireland's first Ombudsman, Michael Mills, served from 1984 to 1994. Mr. Mills was a widely respected political correspondent with the Irish Press for more than 20 years prior to his appointment as Ombudsman. He  took up office in 1984 after being appointed as Ireland's first Ombudsman by President Patrick Hillery. He served two terms before retiring in 1994 at the age of 67.

During his ten years as Ombudsman Mr Mills handled and investigated thousands of public complaints about Government departments, local authorities and health boards.

In his final Annual Report, that for the year 1993, Michael Mills reviewed the previous 10 years and emphasised that the Office of the Ombudsman is now accepted and recognised by all as an independent agency which impartially examines complaints and which takes every possible step to have cases of genuine grievance resolved. He pointed out that the Office had succeeded in resolving many thousands of complaints, most of which would never have been resolved without its existence. He also pointed to the significant changes in our legislative and administrative system to which he and the Office had contributed.

Michael Mills died at the age of 80 on 13 April 2008, after a short illness