Put together in haste

Book excerpt: This report by the Ombudsman contains results of the investigation conducted following a number of complaints that were received about the administration of the ex gratia compensation scheme for Icelandic water trawlermen which was operated by the Department of Trade and Industry between October 2000 and October 2002. The loss of the Icelandic water fishing industry in the aftermath of the resolution of the `Cod Wars' of the 1970s had a profound effect on whole communities. The scheme to provide compensation for the livelihoods that were lost as a result was a welcomed initiative by the Government to remedy the effects of the collapse of the industry. The operation of the scheme though led to many complaints as a result of perceived administrative shortcomings in the way that the scheme had been devised and announced and as to the way that application for compensation was handled. This report sets out a number of findings and recommendations, with the Government's response to them. The Ombudsman's findings, include: that the scheme had been devised overly quickly, which led to a lack of clarity about eligibility for compensation; that the announcement of the scheme had been unclear and imprecise; that when problems arose, no review took place on the impact of new eligibility criteria for applicants whose cases had already been decided; that applicants had not been given sufficient information when new eligibility rules were enforced. The Ombudsman has set out a number of recommendations, which include: that ex gratia compensation schemes should be devised with due regard to the need to give proper examination to all relevant issues; any changes to such schemes, should be properly publicised and explained; and where any complaints occur regarding such schemes, it would be good administrative practice to initiate a review. Furthermore, that scheme rules should be clearly articulated.