Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I must repeat that these issues were before the courts before the protected disclosures were made to my Department. When I was appointed as Minister of State in May 2016, I was briefed on the protected disclosures issue. I felt that the best way forward was to appoint a reviewer to look at those protected disclosures. The reviewer furnished his report to me, which I then forwarded to the military for comment. I also sought legal advice on the issue. Once I received that legal advice and received the comments back from the military, I then sent the report to the people who made the protected disclosures. I also put a copy of the reviewer's report on my Department's website for everybody to see. I am hiding nothing here and am being very straight up with the people. Once I receive back the comments of the people who made the protected disclosures, I will then decide on what further action to take.

See this speech in context