(1) The Minister may at any time remove the Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman from office where, in the Minister’s opinion, the Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman, as the case may be, has become incapable through ill-health of performing his or her functions, or has committed stated misbehaviour, or his or her removal appears to the Minister to be necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the office.

(2) Where the Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman is removed from office under this section, the Minister shall cause to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas a statement of the reasons for the removal.

(3) The Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman may at any time resign his or her office by letter addressed to the Minister.

(4) A resignation under subsection (3) shall be effective on the later of -

(a) the date (if any) specified in the letter, or

(b) such other date as may be agreed with the Minister.