Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their responses. I just want to put on the record that the protected disclosures system is not just weak but is absolutely flat. Unfortunately, in my experience, those who have made protected disclosures within the mental health system have been penalised. One issue in particular has never been properly resolved. The individual ticked all of the boxes and went all the way up through the system. The protected disclosure eventually reached a Minister but it was dismissed. I wanted to flag this issue because while there is excellent work going on in the mental health services, there is also wrongdoing and when people come out and tell the truth, they are not being protected and the issues are not being resolved.