Mr. Ronan Kennedy:

I thank the Deputy for what is an interesting question. I made the point previously in response to another question that the emphasis with regard to protected disclosures should always be on the content of the disclosure being made and not the individual in question. There could be very good reasons for a person choosing to make a disclosure anonymously. Our colleagues in Transparency International found that either the first or second most important reason for people coming forward to make a protected disclosure is that their anonymity can be guaranteed. While I take the Deputy's point that if a name, a position or similar had to be given to the protected disclosures office on the understanding that it would be kept confidential, requiring that in a situation where there is enough information provided in order to at least assess the validity of a disclosure could potentially prevent people from coming forward. As the Deputy pointed out, the ICCL is not saying that all anonymous disclosures should be followed up but where there are reasonable grounds for investigation or a reasonable threshold of information required, then a follow-up should be required.