The Principal Act is amended by inserting the following section after section 10:

"10A.

(1) A person shall not, in connection with any trade, profession, business or occupation, use the title of ombudsman, either alone or in conjunction with another word or phrase, unless the person -

(a) is authorised to do so by or under an Act of the Oireachtas,

(b) has, by reason of the functions to be performed by him or her, obtained the prior consent in writing of the Minister to do so, or

(c) had commenced so to use that title before 9 July 2008.

(2) The Minister shall, for the purposes of deciding whether to give consent under subsection (1)(b), consult both -

(a) the Ombudsman, and

(b) such other Ministers of the Government as the Minister considers appropriate, having regard to the functions to be performed by the person who is seeking that consent.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.".