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Dáil terms. It does not appear that the issues have been addressed. We have had complaints sent into multiple agencies. We have had protected disclosures about issues relating to gas safety and enforcement. We seem to have a serious problem. For example, when it comes to Gas Networks … wish to go through a few other issues that have been mentioned including: no earth bonding; exposed gas pipes on external walls without protection; gas pipes routed through apartment stairways between floors; gas pipes in voids with no external ventilation; gas pipes in lift shafts alongside electrical controls

salaries and expenses of the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of the Commission for Public Service Appointments, the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, the Standards in Public Office Commission, the Office of the Information Commissioner and the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information

State bodies are looking at these studies and possibly changing practices accordingly. I previously raised with the Taoiseach the issue of a protected disclosure, No. 17 of 2025 if memory serves me correctly, which relates to these matters. Because the terms of reference of the Covid evaluation committee

simple. If there is not an inquiry, will the Government expand the scope or terms of reference? This is in relation to the protected disclosure, in particular. As I raised previously, it was first logged in July 2025. The milestones for dealing with it have been exceeded

restricts the use of sensitive data. It provides for depersonalisation oversight by independent authorities and judicial or equivalent authorisation for onward disclosure. Those protections absolutely matter and should be acknowledged. However, safeguards on paper are not the end of a conversation; they should be the starting point. European

that all of the information has come out. It is alleged that staff members were silenced and made to sign non-disclosure agreements to protect Dr. Lal, who has now admitted misconduct. For eight years, people have been put at risk because of a cover

Recent Supreme Court jurisprudence has underlined the high level of constitutional protection given to personal records such as counselling notes. In line with this, on Committee Stage, I intend to introduce a presumption of non-disclosure in this regard. The default position will be that counselling notes … protections of section 19A to encompass other records containing sensitive personal data, such as medical records, child protection records and other such documents. These reforms will mean that proposed disclosure of any sensitive personal material will only occur where this is absolutely necessary, while any such disclosure will

Committee Stage, I will seek to try to change the presumption so that there is a presumption for non-disclosure. In effect, I will give a stronger protection to counselling notes to ensure that it should be the exception that they be disclosed and they would only

evidence emphasised to committee members across all parties both how crucial counselling is to surviving and how the reality of allowing the disclosure of counselling notes actually impacts on victims. The committee listened and in our report we collectively called on the Minister to support a complete … know it is wrong and unacceptable to add to the trauma of victims and survivors. While of course everyone accepts that we must protect the right to a fair trial in all cases, we have a duty to victims and survivors that must be put at the heart

become fodder for cross-examination. This will retraumatise and deter. The Minister points towards possible amendments in relation to the presumption of non-disclosure and the expansion of definitions but I have very serious concerns about anything short of an outright ban. One thing is clear; this legislation … every person currently avoiding counselling for fear of these notes being used and to all future victims who deserve a justice system that protects rather than persecutes them. I urge all TDs to support the necessary changes on Committee Stage to finally deliver just such a system

spoken, have been handed over routinely. This was never the intention of the Oireachtas. The Bill fixes any fundamental flaws by requiring a disclosure hearing in every single case. That is such a positive development. Victims will not have to choose between the privacy of whatever record … states where prison officers cannot currently use incapacitant spray and the Bill removes that legal anomaly. This is not just to protect prison officers but also to protect other prisoners from aggressive and violent behaviour by some of their fellow inmates. It is a practical and proportionate measure

fair trial are the cornerstones of our legal system and pillars that I wholeheartedly believe in. They should be guarded and protected at all costs. However, I struggle to understand how the exclusion of counselling notes can threaten these principles. One of the victims set out the whole … heinous, violent and frankly unforgiveable sexual and violent attacks are never further victimised or harassed by our own judicial system. The presumption of disclosure as proposed by the Minister does not go far enough. Let me be clear - I have said it before and I will

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach the number of successful prosecutions secured under section 24 of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment), Act 2022 (the provisions of the Act that relate to making the penalisation of an individual who makes a protected disclosure a criminal offence); the number of cases

Employment the amount expended by the Corporate Enforcement Authority in respect of legal expenditure relates to the “distractions” referenced in the annual reports, protected disclosures and HR and related matters, as distinct from enforcement related legal expenses. [6632/26

detailed account of all expenditure incurred by Tusla, in appointing a company (details supplied) as an independent body to examine and/or investigate protected disclosures in Cork in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, including professional fees, associated legal costs, VAT and any other related expenses

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if any protected disclosures, workplace complaints, or governance concerns were cited to him or his Department as part of the dispute involving the DAA Chief Executive; and to outline the governance framework under which such matters were handled, including

safeguards which are in place to ensure the operational independence of the Ombudsman, the Information Commissioner, the Commissioner for Environmental Information and the Protected Disclosures Commissioner, given that these statutory roles are held by the same officeholder and supported by the same organisational structure; and if he will

internal firewalls exist within the Office of the Ombudsman to ensure functional separation between the Ombudsman, Information Commissioner, Environmental Information Commissioner and Protected Disclosures Commissioner roles; the way in which these safeguards are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75092/25

Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department has conducted any review comparing Ireland’s consolidation of the Ombudsman, Information Commissioner, Environmental Information Commissioner and Protected Disclosures Commissioner roles with international best practice; and whether consideration has been given to separating these functions to enhance public confidence

Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way the independence of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner is safeguarded when the role is held by the same individual who also serves as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner; if any review has been

Department's plans to review the statutory model under which the Ombudsman simultaneously holds the roles of Information Commissioner, Environmental Information Commissioner and Protected Disclosures Commissioner, with a view to determining whether structural separation would strengthen transparency and public trust; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the Karshan disclosure opportunity guidance; if his Department was consulted before the Revenue Commissioners launched this scheme; the way in which his Department will ensure workers’ PRSI records pre-2024 are corrected

Bord Bia's board members in respect of external commercial interests, including the way such disclosures are reviewed by his Department; and whether he plans to strengthen these requirements to protect public confidence in the governance of State bodies under his remit. [6557/26

Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps his Department is taking to ensure that recipients of disability allowance who take up part-time employment within the permitted income and hours thresholds are supported rather than penalised during the transition to work … aware of cases where disability allowance has been disallowed despite timely and complete disclosure of earnings, resulting in prolonged loss of income and hardship; the safeguards which exist to prevent such delays, particularly where claimants have ongoing medical and travel costs; and if he will make a statement