38 A 14-year-old girl was at home alone when a local authority employee rang the doorbell and asked to inspect the flat as the neighbour had complained about noise. The girl let the man in as he appeared to be a person of authority. Her parents lodged a complaint with the Om­ budsman because the local authority had not explained the background of the unannounced inspection to them. The Ombudsman forwarded the complaint to the Regional State Administra­ tion’s unit supervising local authorities with a comment that the case might be covered by the Act on Legal Protection in Connection with the Administration’s Use of Compulsory Intervention and Duties of Disclosure. The Act includes rules concerning the authorities’ obligation to give prior notice of intrusive measures, such as house inspections. If a case falls within the jurisdiction of a super­ visory authority, the Ombudsman will often forward the case to the authority even if he is not precluded from considering it. In this con­ nection, he may draw the authority’s attention to specific issues in the case. A newspaper published an article about a dyslexic man who had had difficulty passing a test he had to take to qualify as a taxi driver. According to the article, the Taxi Board had refused to allow the man to take the test on special terms which took account of his dyslexia. The Ombudsman took up the case on his own initiative and asked the Board for information about its deliberations. The Board stated that in future dispensation can be granted in relation to the time and tools used for the test if, for instance, the candidate suffers from dyslexia. The Ombudsman then closed the case. If the Ombudsman becomes aware, for instance through media coverage, of a case which he believes offers grounds for investi­ gation, he does not have to wait for a possible complaint from one of the parties to the case. He can take up the case on his own initiative, typically by asking the authority involved for an explanation or for the files of the case. The Ombudsman received a complaint from a couple who were dissatisfied that the birth of twins did not entitle them to longer maternity/ paternity leave. He was unable to help them in the case as the rules on maternity/paternity leave in the legislation and the labour market agreements do not allow for extended mater­ ­nity/paternity leave in connection with the birth of twins. The Ombudsman’s task is to investigate whether the authorities comply with the existing rules and regulations. He cannot change legislation passed by the Danish Parliament, even if some citizens find it wrong or unreasonable. He also does not consider issues which are covered by an agreement between two equal parties, such as agreements made by two labour market parties.