(1)  The Ombudsman's functions under this Act are –

(a) to determine whether disclosures received or referred to the Ombudsman are public interest disclosures; and

(b) to investigate matters disclosed in public interest disclosures; and

(c) to prepare and publish guidelines and standards for the procedures to be followed by public bodies in relation to –

(i) disclosures under Part 2 ; and

(ii) investigations under Part 7 ; and

(iii) the protection of persons from reprisals by public bodies or members, officers or employees of public bodies because of protected disclosures; and

(iv) the application of natural justice to all parties involved in an investigation of a public interest disclosure; and

(d) to approve procedures developed by public bodies in accordance with the guidelines and standards, and review those procedures at least once in each 3-year period; and

(e) to receive notification of all public interest disclosures made internally to public bodies; and

(f) to prepare and publish guidelines and standards for the purpose of determining whether improper conduct is serious or significant; and

(g) to monitor the progress of investigations by public bodies under Part 7 ; and

(h) to provide advice to public bodies on this Act; and

(i) any other function conferred on the Ombudsman by or under this Act.

(2)  The Ombudsman may from time to time amend the guidelines and standards prepared and published under subsection (1) .