15Complainant and agency to be informed

15 Complainant and agency to be informed (1) Where the ombudsman does not, for any reason, investigate, or continue to investigate, action taken by an agency in respect of which a complaint has been made to him or her, the ombudsman must, as soon as practicable and in such manner as the ombudsman thinks fit, inform— (a) the complainant; and (b) except where an arrangement with the agency is in force under subsection (2) relating to actions of that kind, the agency; of the decision and of the reasons for the decision. (2) The ombudsman may from time to time make with an agency an arrangement in relation to actions in respect of which complaints have been or are made to the ombudsman, being actions taken by the agency that are specified in the arrangement— (a) providing for the manner in which, and the period within which, the ombudsman is to inform the agency of a decision not to investigate, or to continue to investigate, such actions and of the reasons for the decision; or (b) providing that the ombudsman is not required to inform the agency of a decision not to investigate, or to continue to investigate, such actions and of the reasons for the decision. (3) Where the ombudsman completes an investigation of action taken by an agency in respect of which a complaint has been made to him or her, the ombudsman must, in such manner and at such times as he or she thinks fit, give to the complainant and to the agency particulars of the investigation.

(4) The ombudsman may, if he or she thinks fit, provide comments or suggestions with respect to any matter relating to or arising out of an investigation by the ombudsman to any agency, body or person other than an agency, body or person to which or to whom he or she has given a report under section 18 relating to that matter or to matters that include that matter. (5) Where the ombudsman gives a report to an agency under section 18 containing recommendations with respect to action in respect of which a complaint has been made— (a) the ombudsman must, if action that is, in the opinion of the ombudsman, adequate and appropriate in the circumstances is not taken with respect to the recommendations within a reasonable time after the recommendations are given to the agency—give to the complainant a copy of the recommendations, together with such comments (if any) as the ombudsman thinks fit; or (b) in any other case—the ombudsman may give to the complainant a copy of the recommendations, together with such comments (if any) as he or she thinks fit.