Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I felt that it was very sensitive. I must say, as Minister, I was conscious that you have to handle it in a professional, proper manner. In that instance, that was to hand it to the relevant officials in my Department who are designated to try to ascertain whether something is or is not a protected disclosure and how best to approach it. This was not normal correspondence. It was not normal in any way. It was highly sensitive, in my opinion. To answer the question about whether someone is being investigated or not and how you define protected disclosures or when complaints are raised, if investigated has a pejorative meaning, then I would be nervous of the word. In terms of whether investigations are going on into accusations that have been made, absolutely, but they are being done following the proper due process. That is important so that it is fair to all concerned.