MINISTER FOR PUBLIC Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has announced the commencement of legislation protecting whistleblowers.

The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 provides protection to all employees, including contractors, agency workers, gardaí and members of the Defence Forces.

Under the legislation was put in place to protect the identity of a person providing such information and does not contain any ‘good faith’ or public interest tests which could deter people from making protected disclosures.

Whistleblowers can receive compensation of up to five years remuneration if dismissed for making a protected disclosure.

Speaking about the legislation coming into effect, Minister Howlin said that it “sets a new standard in terms of international best practice for whistleblower protection”.

“It sends out a very clear message that whistleblowers’ concerns must be listened to and acted on and those who make such reports should not be penalised for doing so.”

Read: Scrap 3-person GSOC, set-up whistleblower ‘hotline’: Here’s what needs to change, Minister told >

Read: Whistleblower says builders paid by State are defrauding the welfare system >

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More