The European Parliament first elected Emily O’Reilly as European Ombudsman in July 2013. Following the European Parliament elections, she was re-elected for a five-year mandate in December 2014 and again in December 2019. Prior to becoming European Ombudsman, she served as Ireland's first female Ombudsman and Information Commissioner (2003-2013) and Commissioner for Environmental Information (2007-2013). Emily O’Reilly is an author and a former journalist and broadcaster, whose career has attracted significant domestic and international recognition.

The European Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body that holds the EU’s institutions and agencies to account, and promotes good administration. The Ombudsman helps people, businesses, and organisations facing problems with the EU’s administration by investigating complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and bodies, as well as by proactively looking into broader systemic issues. While the Ombudsman considers the EU to have good administrative standards already, she believes it has a duty to achieve the highest standard possible for the benefit of Europeans.