The Ombudsman must, as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, provide to the Lord Chancellor a report about the performance of his functions during that year.

The Lord Chancellor may by direction require the Ombudsman to deal, in reports or a particular report under sub-paragraph (1), with matters specified in the direction.

The Ombudsman must, as soon as practicable after a direction by the Lord Chancellor under this sub-paragraph, provide to the Lord Chancellor a report about any matter or matters specified in the direction.

The Lord Chancellor must lay before F2the Northern Ireland Assembly a copy of any report provided to him under sub-paragraph (1).

The Ombudsman must publish any report once copies of it have been laid under sub-paragraph (4).

Section 41(3) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies for the purposes of sub-paragraph (4) in relation to the laying of a copy of a report as it applies in relation to the laying of a statutory document under an enactment.