Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to enhance protections in the proposed Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest Bill in order to ensure that the identity of persons who come forward with information about possible wrong doing remains confidential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32447/12]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to strengthen safeguards in the proposed whistleblowing legislation in order to better protect individuals coming forward with information about possible wrongdoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32446/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 21 together.

As the Deputy may be aware my proposals for the protection of whistleblowers contained in the General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest Bill were referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform for their views. Following a number of meetings with key interest groups and experts, I understand that the Committee is currently finalising its report and will submit it to me shortly. My Department has also received some submissions on how the protections provided for in the legislation might be strengthened. I will consider these proposals and the recommendations of the Committee's report in the context of ongoing work on the drafting of a Bill.