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commissioner for protected disclosures, who is responsible, acknowledged receipt on 2 September. Once transmitted, the commissioner independently determines the appropriate prescribed person or public body to follow up on the disclosure. The HSE has issued a statement, as the Deputy is aware. Ministers are required to establish dedicated … channels to receive protected disclosures and to publish information on how to access and use the reporting channel. A secure dedicated mailbox was set up to receive protected disclosures via the ministerial channels

Department in meetings of the Commission's whistleblowers expert group. I would also make the Deputy aware that a statutory review of the Protected Disclosures Act is due to commence and as part of this review a public consultation will be carried out. We would encourage different stakeholders … whistleblowers to participate in this consultation. The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 was amended in 2022 and these amendments sought to address a number of issues that were raised during the 2018 statutory review of the 2014 Act. The upcoming statutory review will provide a valuable insight into

Deputy is going from the general to the specific. I am cautious about speaking specifically about individual protected disclosures but, obviously, I have examined the files on what happened prior to my arrival in the Department. My view is that my predecessor, Deputy McEntee, behaved in an entirely … issues to which the Deputy is referring. As he will be aware, on 27 February 2025 I referred issues highlighted in the protected disclosure under section 102(5) of the Garda Síochána Act to Fiosrú. I referred them for the purpose of having them investigated

Dáil in 2022 amended the legislation. It seems to me to be an untenable framework now where, on one hand, if a protected disclosure goes in, it is meant to be dealt with independently and separately from Government, which I think is proper actually. It is proper that … there is not political interference one way or the other in a protected disclosure. There is not political interference or intervention, nor can or should there be. In the first instance, I want to see the programme this evening. With the greatest respect to everybody, at the very

treated over the past number of years. I have spoken in the House about Limerick and issues in Dublin. Those who have made protected disclosures or speak up often suffer as a result. One of the Minister's predecessors said in the House that what happened to Maurice … McCabe can never happen again, and I hope the Minister will bring fresh eyes to the protected disclosures that have been made and their outcomes. I am thinking of John Barrett, the former head of HR, and how he was treated. I am thinking of Lois West

Minister might be aware that I have a particular interest in the issue of protected disclosures and protecting whistleblowers. I worked well with the previous Minister, Michael McGrath, in regard to the EU directive. I put forward my own legislation on this. There is obviously now going … review of that. There is the EU review of the protected disclosures regime, and I am interested in an update on that

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

that there is an independent process. We also have to respect that process and make sure anybody who is the subject of a protected disclosure is afforded the protection of that independent process as well. The Deputy mentioned my time as Minister for justice. The very first thing … Síochána audit committee, which now have statutory roles in overseeing the appropriateness, efficiency and effectiveness of procedures in An Garda Síochána dealing with protected disclosures. I also produced the legislation that established Fiosrú and the whole reason for that was to make sure that where complaints were made

been given this year to Transparency International Ireland as part of legal advice to be provided to those who want to make a protected disclosure. I welcome that the European Commission has an ongoing review of this, so we will listen to the wider public feedback … That will allow any required reforms out of that to occur. I share the broader objectives relating to ensuring that we have a protected disclosure regime which supports and protects whistleblowers. That is my policy interest in this area

specific allegations with respect of those who have made protected disclosures - I cannot interfere in a protected disclosure

There absolutely are serious questions but, again, you have to differentiate clearly with regard to a protected disclosure. If a person makes a protected disclosure, it has to be investigated. Would the Deputy accept that? If it has to be investigated, Ministers cannot interfere

those who simply cannot speak up, the people who have been beaten by the system and battered by the State, for whom a protected disclosure represented, in some instances, the end of their lives and certainly the end of any mental peace they had. The Minister of State … Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, rambled in and said: The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 is Ireland's national whistleblower protection law. This legislation was designed to protect workers from penalisation for speaking up about wrongdoing in the workplace. He did not stay for the whole debate, but I hope

parents of those kids who are affected are probably sitting on the same bench as us. I did a lot of work on protected disclosures, and one of the big things with protected disclosures was flipping the reversal of the burden of proof. I still feel that

often, they pay a price for their transparency and honesty. The proposals before us are about changing that, going beyond the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and ensuring any legislation has teeth. They are about making sure whistleblowers are protected, supported and respected within every sector. My colleagues' first … that every public body must investigate whistleblower reports quickly and fairly - no delays, no excuses. If they fail, a new Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner would have the power to sanction them. That is how we make sure disclosures are not ignored. It is not rocket science

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

HPRA. The authority was informed of cDNA contamination in vaccines but did not investigate. We had a systemic failure of the protected disclosures process itself, including, as I said, ministerial-level stonewalling of urgent safety data, resulting in zero investigations into serious allegations involving avoidable death, medical misconduct … longer credible to delay. Will the Minister of State commit to commissioning an independent public inquiry into the contents of this protected disclosure? Will he direct the HPRA, the PSI and the Department of Health to respond substantively and transparently to the evidence submitted? Will he ensure

around and nobody had missed him. A plan was agreed and corrective measures were to be taken, but these were not implemented. The protected disclosure was about a third nursing home. It was not about those two nursing homes at all. The person making the protected disclosure

guardians, "If you tell the truth, you will not get into trouble" and now we are here in the Chamber, dealing with the Protected Disclosure Act 2014, as amended in 2022 on foot of EU Directive No. 2019/1937. I most recently brought two constituent and professional colleague protected

strengthen our regime to protect our whistleblowers? I had concerns at the time, which I have raised again numerous time this year, about protected disclosures not going directly to Ministers and those Ministers then being able to say they cannot deal with them because they are with … protected disclosures office. There was an element of concern about that at the time and it is still a huge area of concern. I ask the Minister to look at this personally. It is such an important area and he has such power in relation

through international co-operation. I also thank Deputy Gannon for his support. I have no difficulty coming into the Dáil to talk about protected disclosures. This has been said. There is Government time and there is Opposition time. If he wants to use Social Democrats time to discuss … makey-uppy issue - section 16 of the Act states that it is a criminal offence for a person to whom a protected disclosure is made to reveal the identity of the person making it. That applies even if the person has decided to reveal their own identity

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

issues, although not all because not all will be covered by this programme, directly with the Minister, separate from anything to do with protective disclosures, and I have tabled hundreds of parliamentary questions. Finally on this issue, I believe there was an absolute lack of knowledge in this … Chamber today on the part of the Government in relation to aspects of protected disclosures legislation and it was cringeworthy. This Bill is a very important one and it is long in the making. As the Minister will be aware, it was published in 2021 and it went

threats on a near daily basis. He is off sick and is unable to work. He is facing poverty. He has made a protected disclosure. He has been left to hang with no support from the State after serving it in a difficult situation. Will the Taoiseach make … sure that he has an income until his protected disclosure case is heard

first question relates to the protected disclosures regime within An Garda Síochána and what have been fairly serious and damaging allegations made publicly, including in an "RTÉ Investigates" programme. Has the Minister carried out any assessment of whether the protected disclosures system is functioning? Could he outline

questions to the Minister again because he has not answered them. Is the Government satisfied that the legal advice given to Ministers on protected disclosures is accurate, lawful and compliant with both the EU Act and the Act in the Republic? Does the Minister stand over the statement … made by the Taoiseach on 12 November in this House on receiving protected disclosures under section 8, that Ministers cannot even read them? Will the Government commission an independent review of legal advice provided to Ministers in cases involving corruption, criminal conduct and the misuse of public funds

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the protections, supports, and remedies that are currently in place for healthcare staff who make protected disclosures within CHI and the HSE, including psychological supports, employment protections, and access to compensation or redress where harm has occurred. [22833/26

asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a teacher pursuing a complaint before the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court or under protected disclosures legislation is required to exhaust or engage with internal school complaints procedures in order to avail of statutory protections. [64919/26

Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether he is satisfied that the current administrative handling of protected disclosures by public bodies fully reflects the objectives of Directive (EU) 2019/1937, in particular the requirement to ensure effective protection against retaliation

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether his Department's internal protected disclosures policy and procedures are published on its website; if not, the reason; whether the statutory guidance encourages public bodies to publish their internal procedures

Flynn asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation whether he will bring forward amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to prohibit the transmission of a report, or of information capable of identifying the reporting person, to the organisation or persons the report

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of protected disclosures received by the Minister in each year since 2019 concerning Garda firearms, holsters, armoury management or the procurement of related equipment; the number transmitted to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether she met, communicated with or corresponded with former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in respect to protected disclosure matters; if her staff did so; and if she will detail the files that were discussed. [74624/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of protected disclosures made to An Garda Síochána that, as of 1 October 2026, have remained open for more than one year, more than two years and more than three years, respectively

Digitalisation whether his Department has received representations since January 2025 regarding the meaning of "prima facie evidence" at initial assessment under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014; whether the Department intends to issue clarifying guidance to public bodies and prescribed persons ahead of the statutory review

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of protected disclosures within An Garda Síochána that remained at initial assessment stage at the end of each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025; and the longest period any such disclosure

Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of protected disclosures made by members and staff of An Garda Síochána, either directly to his Department or through internal Garda channels, and to Fiosrú, in each of the past five years

Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the guidance that applies where information available to the Protected Disclosures Commissioner raises a potential issue concerning the suitability, independence or impartiality of a proposed “other suitable person”; and whether consideration of such matters

Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the guidance that applies to the maintenance of records recording the conclusion of procedures concerning protected disclosures; the date and basis upon which the relevant procedures were concluded and notification of the reporting person; and whether such records should

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the procedures that apply where a protected disclosure contains several distinct alleged relevant wrongdoings which potentially fall within the functions or competence of different prescribed persons or other suitable persons; and whether individual

Digitalisation the guidance that applies to an “other suitable person” in carrying out an initial assessment pursuant to section 10E of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended; whether such an assessment should be recorded contemporaneously in writing; and whether the record should identify the information considered

Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the evidence or records that should be established by a recipient before determining, for the purposes of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended, that the relevant procedures concerning an earlier report have been concluded. [69787/26

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the guidance or criteria that apply when determining, for the purposes of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, as amended, whether a subsequent report contains meaningful new information compared with a previous report; and whether such a determination

Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the procedures that apply where the Protected Disclosures Commissioner does not accept the opinion of an “other suitable person” that a matter does not fall within that person's remit; the procedures thereafter

Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has been provided with any knowledge by An Garda Siochana or his Department that information concerning protected disclosures were withheld from Tánaiste Simon Harris in 2023, when he was required to caretake the role of Minister for Justice during the second

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration were any protected disclosures directed for the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding An Garda Siochana withheld from him or his predecessor. [69141/26

asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will review the adequacy of the safeguards under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 against penalisation, and against the disclosure of a discloser's identity without consent, in view of concerns raised publicly in recent

Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on the way in which the protected disclosures process has been carried out in An Garda Síochána over the past ten years. [68416/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of protected disclosures received by An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and the Department of Justice Home Affairs and Migration in each of the past ten years concerning

Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of allegations of penalisation arising from the making of a protected disclosure by a member of Garda personnel recorded in each year from 2016 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the number of such

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 3747 of 7 September 2026, the number of protected disclosure allegations upheld or partially upheld during 2025 in respect of which the assigned corrective actions have been completed; the number in respect of which