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First of all, Ireland's whistleblower protection framework is governed by the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. There are set frameworks - legal and so on - in terms of governing the handling and management of protected disclosures. That Act was significantly strengthened by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022. This … dismissal and so forth. Workers who experience penalisation have access to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and so forth. The Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, OPDC, was established in 2023. It plays a key role in ensuring disclosures are directed to the appropriate prescribed persons. This

this point, every Member of Dáil Éireann has received an email with information about protected disclosure, PD17/2025. That protected disclosure was made by a conscientious health professional. I am raising it as a matter of utmost gravity because, as far back as June and July of this year

want to raise the case of Noel McGree, who first pointed out wrongdoing in the Prison Service in 2013. He made a substantial protected disclosure in 2019. Noel is being made homeless, as are his wife and two kids. I have met Noel. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle knows … Service. This is what he gets for doing so. I want to ask two things. Can we ensure that the process by which protected disclosures are dealt with is done in an efficient manner and as quickly as possible and that we do not have another scenario whereby

this will go on forever. I do not mean that in any disrespectful way. There has to be a system to deal with protected disclosures. We cannot add new layers. I think we can review it in the context of how the Act is working but, ideally … should be able to deal with protected disclosures within the legislation and people should respond

Covid-19 evaluation committee that the Department of the Taoiseach established, under scope and exclusions are the very matters included within this protected disclosure: the care of older people in nursing homes between 2020 and 2022; the administration of gene therapy to people during the same period … other jurisdictions, and have been the subject of parliamentary questions. I would again ask the question - will there be an inquiry into this protected disclosure as a matter of urgency

which I am not doubting. We have taken a number of measures in recent years in trying to establish the new structures for protected disclosures, greater clarity around what is meant to happen when disclosures come in and greater understanding across the system. This is a responsibility … relevant Minister reverts to him. Without commenting on any specific case, all whistleblowers are, under law, expected to have all of the protections that are right in the context of whistleblowing. Bringing information into the public domain is a very important part of our democracy

Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the exclusion of Defence Forces members from WRC remedies under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54892/25

Department, particularly information relating to ongoing or potential criminal investigations, with other public bodies; whether such disclosures are governed by a specific legal basis under the general data protection regulation, the Data Protection Act 2018, or any internal departmental policy; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department has a memorandum of understanding or any formal agreement in place with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions governing the transmission of case files or information from the Department to the DPP; whether officials … been, or is to be, referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; if such disclosures require the approval of the DPP or are subject to any data protection or confidentiality restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53842/25

Flynn asked the Minister for Social Protection whether her Department requires lunch providers participating in the free school meals programme to inform schools and parents if meat products are halal-certified; and if she will consider introducing mandatory labelling or disclosure rules to ensure transparency and parental awareness

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if his Department and each body under its aegis discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees, by category (details supplied) in their annual report and or financial statements for each accounting year; if they provide direct web links … most recent publications where these Section 1.5 disclosures are set out for his Department and for each aegis body; and if they provide the total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years for his Department and for each aegis