Findings of maladministration by the Ombudsman do not therefore automatically imply that there is illegal behaviour that could be sanctioned by a court5.In response to a call from the European Parliament for a clear definition of maladministration, the Ombudsman offered the following definition in his Annual Report 1997:Maladministration occurs when a public body fails to act in accordance with a rule or principle which is binding upon it.In 1998, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution welcoming this definition.
An tOmbudsman Eorpach — Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2008 go bhfuil drochriaracháin i gceist, ní gá go dtugann sin le fios go bhfuil iompar neamhdhleathach i gceist a d’fhéadfadh cúirt smachtbhannaí a chur i bhfeidhm mar gheall air5.I ndiaidh do Pharlaimint na hEorpa sainmhíniú soiléir ar dhrochriarachán a lorg, chuir an tOmbudsman an sainmhíniú seo a leanas ar fáil ina Thuarascáil Bhliantúil 1997:“Tá drochriarachán ann mura ngníomhaíonn comhlacht poiblí de réir rialach nó prionsabail atá ceangailteach ina leith.”Sa bhliain 1998, ghlac Parlaimint na hEorpa Rún ag fáiltiú roimh an sainmhíniú seo.