Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is very powerful to hear personal stories in relation to this and I commend the witnesses on coming before the committee. The focus of my questions is specifically around the Minister's proposals. I will ask specific questions of people and if they want to add any comments relating to a previous question, that is fine. I am just aware of time constraints.

I will begin with Mr. McGree. On the role of the Minister and the reporting channels under the current legislation that allow protected disclosures to be made directly to the Minister, while the new Bill looks to bring in the protected disclosures office, what does Mr. McGree think could have constrained the Minister under the current Act from acting appropriately? How could that be improved? Is the new proposal for a protected disclosure office an improvement on the current Act or is it a retrograde step?