Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is correct to suggest that there are learnings for the public service beyond An Garda Síochána in terms of how it responds to whistleblowers and people trying to highlight areas of wrongdoing or public concern. That was vividly depicted in the excellent documentary by Katie Hannon on Maurice and Lorraine McCabe. I would very simply say to anybody working in the health service that our laws have changed and we have protected disclosure legislation. As Minister for Health, I receive protected disclosures. The HSE has a protected disclosure policy and system. "Your Service, Your Say" is a way for people to make complaints, but whistleblowers who need to bring an issue to attention in a protected space have the law on their side. The law is working and there have been examples of important information being brought to the attention of the authorities through protected disclosures. I encourage anyone working in, or using, the health service who wishes to highlight a matter by whistleblowing to avail of the protection offered by the laws passed in recent years.